The king of chemicals
Part 1 — Sulphuric acid, H₂SO₄, is called the king of chemicals: more of it is made than any other chemical, for fertilisers, detergents, paints, car batteries and the refining of petroleum.
In this lesson you will
- Write the equations, with catalyst and conditions, for the Contact process
- Explain why sulphur trioxide is absorbed in concentrated sulphuric acid and not in water
- Explain why sulphuric acid is dibasic and forms normal and acid salts
- Write equations for dilute sulphuric acid with metals, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulphites, hydrogen sulphites and sulphides
| Property | Sulphuric acid |
|---|---|
| Formula | H₂SO₄ (dibasic) |
| Appearance | Colourless, dense, oily liquid |
| Boiling point | High: about 338 °C (non-volatile) |
| Mixing with water | Gives out a lot of heat |
| Uses | Fertilisers, detergents, batteries, paints |