Question

Write balanced equations for the following:

Action of concentrated Sulphuric acid on carbon.

Answer 1

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:- $\underset{\left(\mathrm{Carbon}\right)}{\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Conc}.\mathrm{Sulphuric}\mathrm{acid})}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{(\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide})}{{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioixde})}{2{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Water}\right)}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$

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