Question

Who discovered Sulphuric acid?

Answer 1

Sulfuric acid:

1. Sulfuric acid was the first prepared by Johann Glauber.
2. He prepared Sulfuric acid ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ by burning Sulphur with Potassium nitrate $\left({\mathrm{KNO}}_3\right)$ in presence of steam.
3. Potassium nitrate$\left({\mathrm{KNO}}_3\right)$ undergoes decomposition and oxidized Sulphur into Sulphur trioxide $\left({\mathrm{SO}}_3\right)$ which when combined with water form Sulfuric acid.
   ${\mathrm{SO}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$
4. Sulfuric acid acts as an oxidizing agent as well as a dehydrating agent.

Uses:

1. It is used in making fertilizers.
2. It is used in the refining of petroleum.
3. Used as a cleaning agent as it can remove rust from iron and steel.
4. Used as an electrolyte in lead-acid batteries.