Question

What compound of sulfur is obtained when concentrated ${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$ oxidizes ${\mathrm{S}}_8$?

Answer 1

${\mathrm{S}}_8$:

• It is elemental sulfur that forms a cyclic octatomic molecule with a chemical formula ${\mathrm{S}}_8$.
• The molecule is in the form of a crown shape.
• Each sulfur atom is bonded to another atom by acovalent bonding.

Reaction of concentrated ${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$ with ${\mathrm{S}}_8$:

• When concentrated Nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ reacts with ${\mathrm{S}}_8$, then Sulfuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ is formed along with the liberation of Nitrogen dioxide $\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$.
• The chemical equation can be depicted as:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{S}}_8\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+48{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 8{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+48{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+16{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \left(\mathrm{Sulfur}\right)\left(\mathrm{Nitric}\mathrm{acid}\right)\left(\mathrm{Sulfuric}\mathrm{acid}\right)\left(\mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{dioxide}\right)\left(\mathrm{Water}\right) \end{gathered}$$