Question

Write balanced chemical equations to show:
The oxidising action of conc. Sulphuric acid on Carbon.

Answer 1

Oxidising effect of Sulphuric acid on Carbon:-

1. When conc. Sulphuric acid is treated with Carbon, Carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and water is formed as the product.
2. Due to the oxidising effect of conc. Sulphuric acid carbon is changed to Carbon dioxide.
3. Balanced chemical equation:- $\underset{\left(\mathrm{Carbon}\right)}{\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Conc}.\mathrm{Sulphuric}\mathrm{acid})}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{(\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide})}{{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioxide})}{2{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Water}\right)}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$

Final answer:- Due to the oxidising effect of conc. Sulphuric acid carbon is changed to Carbon dioxide- $\underset{\left(\mathrm{Carbon}\right)}{\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Conc}.\mathrm{Sulphuric}\mathrm{acid})}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{(\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide})}{{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioxide})}{2{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Water}\right)}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$