Question

Name the products formed when Sulphuric acid reacts with:

(a) Copper hydroxide.

(b) Magnesium carbonate.

(c) Potassium bicarbonate.

Answer 1

(a)

Reaction between copper hydroxide and sulphuric acid:

1. Copper hydroxide $\left(\mathrm{Cu}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right)$ is a metal hydroxide and behaves as a base whereas Sulphuric acid $\left( {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ behaves as an acid.
2. When dilute Sulphuric acid reacts with Copper hydroxide, it forms Copper(II) sulphate $\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$ salt and water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$. This is called a neutralization reaction.
3. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between Copper hydroxide and dilute Sulphuric acid is written as follows:
   $\mathrm{Cu}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{dil}. {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$
4. The names of the products formed in this reaction are Copper(II) sulphate and water.

(b)

Reaction between Magnesium carbonate and dilute Sulphuric acid:

1. In the chemical laboratory, carbon dioxide gas is prepared by using dilute Sulphuric acid.
2. Magnesium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{MgCO}}_3\right)$ reacts with dilute Sulphuric acid $\left( {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ to yield Magnesium sulphate$\left({\mathrm{MgSO}}_4\right)$, water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ and Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ gas.
3. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between Magnesium carbonate and dilute Sulphuric acid is written as follows:${\mathrm{MgCO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+\mathrm{dil}. {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{MgSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
4. The names of the products formed in this reaction are Magnesium sulphate, carbon dioxide and water.

(c)

Reaction between Potassium bicarbonate and dilute Sulphuric acid:

1. In the chemical laboratory, carbon dioxide gas is prepared by using dilute Sulphuric acid.
2. Potassium bicarbonate $\left({\mathrm{KHCO}}_3\right)$ treats with dilute Sulphuric acid $\left( {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ to give Potassium sulphate $\left({\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$, water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ and carbon dioxide gas $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$.
3. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between Potassium bicarbonate and dilute Sulphuric acid is written as follows:$2{\mathrm{KHCO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+\mathrm{dil}. {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+2{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
4. The names of the products formed in this chemical reaction are Potassium sulphate, water and carbon dioxide.