Question
Question: Sulphuric acid acts as an acid, an oxidising agent and as a dehydrating agent. In which way does it ...
Sulphuric acid acts as an acid, an oxidising agent and as a dehydrating agent. In which way does it behave when it acts on: Sodium hydroxide.
Solution
To know the effects of the given reaction of the question, we will first react sodium hydroxide with sulphuric acid and then observe the effects of the reaction. We will also discuss the given compounds separately.
Complete step by step solution:
When sodium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid completely it leads to the formation of sodium sulphate and water as product, respectively.
The reactants are base and an acid, which leads to the neutralisation process and yields a salt.
2NaOH+H2SO4→Na2SO4+2H2O
H2SO4 acts as acid in this reaction.
In the case of sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide, acid-base neutralization reaction will happen. Sulphuric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide and produces sodium sulphate and water (H2O) . Here sodium sulphate is a salt because its positive part has come from base and negative part has come from acid.
Hence, sulphuric acid behaves as an acid.
Note:
A reaction between sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide is of an acid-base type, or is also known as a neutralization reaction. In this process, both compounds undergo a reaction to neutralize the acid and base properties. The products of this process are salt and water.