82 Part 6

Chapter 27 Sulphuric Acid and Sulphur Dioxide

A. Multiple Choice Questions trioxide gas and water is highly

exothermic. A mist of sulphuric acid
1. A. (1) and (3) only droplets is formed instead of a liquid.
2. A. (1) and (2) only The mist suspends in air and it is
3. A. (1) only difficult to collect.
4. D. (1), (2) and (3)
5. B. 3.0 g of nitrogen dioxide 2. (a) A: sulphur trioxide
6. C. ClO2 B: oleum
7. B. 6.4 dm3 C: sulphuric acid
8. B. (2) only (b) Cool down sulphur trioxide
9. C. 18 dm3 produced and heat up the reactants
10. A. 0.30 dm3 (i.e. sulphur dioxide and air).
11. B. 550 cm3 (c) Finely divided vanadium(V) oxide
12. A. Oxidizing (V2O5)
13. D. It is a yellowish green gas at room (d) Formation of A:
temperature and pressure. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
14. A. Linen Formation of B:
H2SO4(l) + SO3(g)  H2S2O7(l)
B. Fill in the Blanks Formation of C:
H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l)
1. oleum, concentrated sulphuric acid  2H2SO4(l)
2. salt, sulphur dioxide (e) Air should be in excess so that
3. sulphites, reduction, reducing agent maximum amounts of sulphur
dioxide are used to produce
C. Comprehensive Questions maximum amounts of sulphur
trioxide.
1. (a) 4FeS2(s) + 11O2(g) (f) Sulphur dioxide is usually prepared
 2Fe2O3(s) + 8SO2(g) in two ways:
(b) Zinc blende 1. When sulphur is burnt in air,
2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g) sulphur dioxide is produced.
 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g) S(s) + O2(g)  SO2(g)
(c) This prevents the dissolution of 2. When sulphide ores such as
sulphur dioxide in water. iron pyrite (FeS2) and zinc
(d) Temperature: about 450 oC blende (ZnS) are roasted in air,
Pressure: 1 atmospheric pressure metal oxides and sulphur
Catalyst: finely divided dioxide are produced.
vanadium(V) oxide (V2O5) 4FeS2(s) + 11O2(g)
(e) The product in the reaction between  2Fe2O3(s) + 8SO2(g)
sulphur dioxide and air is sulphur 2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g)
trioxide and it should not be  2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)
dissolved in water. This is because
the reaction between sulphur

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 Chapter 27 83

3. HKCEE Question 50.0

= 2.0 mol dm3  dm3
1 000
4. = 0.10 mol
Number Volume of According to the equation, the mole
Molar Mass of Number of gas at room
Gas mass of gas moles gas temperature ratio of HCl : CaCl2 = 2 : 1
(g mol1) (g) of gas molecules and pressure Number of moles of CaCl2 formed
(mol) (dm3) 1
(a) CO 28.0 8.4 0.3 1.8061023 7.2 =  Number of moles of HCl
2
(b) NO2 46 2.5 0.054 3.2711022 1.304
1
(c) CH2=CH2 28 0.07 0.002 5 1.5051021 0.06 =  0.10 mol
(d) Sulphur 2
64.1 15.0 0.234 1.4091023 5.616
dioxide = 0.050 mol
(e) Ammonia 17.0 3.187 5 0.187 5 1.1291023 4.5  Concentration of solution formed
(f) Unknown
30.0 6.0 0.2 1.2041023 4.8 (mol dm3)
Y
0.050 mol
=
5. (a) Hydrochloric acid 50
dm 3
(b) Number of moles of HCl 1 000
=
Volume of HCl = 1.0 mol dm3
Molar volume of gas The volume of the solution remains
060 dm 3 unchanged (i.e. 50.0 cm3) after
= reaction.
24 dm 3mol 1 (d) According to the equation, the mole
= 0.025 mol
ratio of CO2 : HCl = 1 : 2
Concentration of HCl(aq)
Number of moles of CO2
(mol dm3) 1
Number of moles of HCl =  Number of moles of HCl
= 2
Volume of HCl(aq) 1
0.025 mol =  0.1 mol
= 2
0.25 dm3 = 0.05 mol
= 0.10 mol dm3 Volume of CO2 (g)
(c) Concentration of HCl(aq) (g dm3) = Number of moles of CO2  Molar
= Concentration of HCl (mol dm3) volume of gas
 Molar mass (g mol1) = 0.05 mol  24 dm3 mol
= 0.10 mol dm3 (1.0 + 35.5) = 1.2 dm3
g mol1 (e) According to the equation, the mole
= 3.65 g dm3 ratio of CaCO3 : HCl = 1 : 2
Number of moles of CaCO3
6. (a) CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) 1
=  Number of moles of HCl
 CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l) 2
(b) Calcium chloride, carbon dioxide 1
and water =  0.1 mol
2
(c) Number of moles of HCl = 0.05 mol
= Molarity of HCl  Volume of HCl

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84 Part 6

Mass of CaCO3 (e) According to the equation, the mole

= Number of moles of CaCO3  ratio of FeSO4 : Fe = 1 : 1
Molar mass of CaCO3 Number of moles of FeSO4
= 0.05 mol  (40.1 + 12.0 + 16.0  3) = Number of moles of Fe
g mol1 = 0.251 mol
= 5.005 g Concentration of FeSO4(aq)
(mol dm3)
7. (a) Iron sinks in the acid and dissolves. Number of moles of FeSO 4
=
It reacts slowly to produce a green Volume of solution
solution and a colourless gas. 0.251 mol
(b) Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq) =
0.03 dm 3
 FeSO4(aq) + H2(g) = 8.37 mol dm3
(c) Number of moles of Fe The volume of the solution remains
Mass of Fe unchanged (i.e. 30.0 cm3) after
=
Molar mass of Fe reaction.
14.0 g
=
55.8 g mol 1 8. (a) 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
= 0.251 mol (b) According to the equation, the mole
Number of moles H2SO4 ratio of SO2 : O2 = 2 : 1. Since
= Molarity of H2SO4(aq)  Volume 50 dm3 of both gases are used,
of H2SO4(aq) oxygen is in excess and sulphur
30.0 dioxide is the limiting reagent.
= 18.0 mol dm3  dm3 Number of moles of SO2 used
1 000
Volume of SO 2
= 0.54 mol =  98 %
According to the equation, the mole Molar volume of SO 2
ratio of Fe : H2SO4 = 1 : 1 50.0 dm3
=  98 %
 0.251 mole of Fe needs 0.251 24 dm3 mol 1
mole of H2SO4 for a complete = 2.04 mol
reaction. However, there is 0.54 According to the equation, the mole
mole of H2SO4 provided ratio of SO3 : SO2 = 1 : 1
 H2SO4 is in excess (or Fe is the Number of moles of SO3 = 2.04 mol
limiting reagent.). Volume of SO3
According to the equation, the mole = Number of moles of SO3  Molar
ratio of H2 : Fe = 1 : 1 volume of gas
Number of moles of H2 produced = 2.04 mol  24 dm3 mol1
= Number of moles of Fe reacted = 48.96 dm3
= 0.251 mol (c) Mass of SO3
 Volume of H2 produced = Number of moles of SO3  Molar
= Number of moles of H2  mass of SO3
Molar volume of gas = 2.04 mol  (32.1 + 16.0  3)
= 0.251 mol  24 dm3 mol1 g mol1
= 6.024 dm3 = 163.40 g
(d) Using a burning splint to test the gas,
it will give a “pop” sound.

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 Chapter 27 85

(d) Number of moles of SO2 unreacted Concentration of oleum (mol

50.0 dm3 dm3)
= 2% Number of moles of oleum
24 dm3 mol =
= 0.042 mol Volume of solution
Volume of SO2 unreacted 2.04 mol
=
= 0.042 mol  24 dm3 mol1 3.0 dm3
= 1.008 dm3 = 0.68 mol dm3
Number of moles of O2 originally
50.0 dm3 9 – 10. HKCEE Questions
=
24 dm3 mol 1
= 2.083 mol 11. (a) Molar mass of H2SO4
Number of moles of O2 reacted = 1.0  2 + 32.1 + 16.0  4 g mol1
1 = 98.1 g mol1
=  Number of moles of SO2 Volume of 100 g of H2SO4(aq)
2
reacted Mass of H 2SO 4
=
1 Density of H 2SO 4
=  2.04 mol
2 100 g
=
= 1.02 mol 1.83 g cm 3
Number of moles of O2 unreacted = 54.64 cm3 (or 0.054 64 dm3)
= 2.083 mol  1.02 mol Number of moles of H2SO4 in 100 g
=1.063 mol solution
Volume of O2 unreacted Mass of H 2SO 4
= 1.063 mol  24 dm3 mol1 =
Molar mass of H 2SO 4
= 25.512 dm3
Volume of the resulting gaseous 95 g
=
mixture 98.1 g mol 1
= Volume of SO2 unreacted + = 0.968 4 mol
Volume of O2 unreacted + Volume Molarity of the H2SO4(aq)
of SO3 produced Number of moles of H 2SO 4
= 1.008 dm3 + 25.512 dm3 + =
Volume of H 2SO 4 (aq )
48.96 dm3
= 75.48 dm3 0.968 4 mol
=
(e) (i) H2SO4(l) + SO3(g) 0.546 4 dm 3
 H2S2O7(l) = 17.72 mol dm3
(ii) Since concentrated sulphuric (b) Number of moles of H2SO4 required
acid is in excess, sulphur = Molarity of H2SO4  Volume of
trioxide is the limiting reagent. H2SO4(aq)
Number of moles of oleum 100
formed = 0.50 mol dm3  dm3
1000
= Number of moles of sulphur = 0.05 mol
trioxide
= 2.04 mol

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86 Part 6

Mass of H2SO4 (f) (i) The sulphur dissolves and a

= Number of moles of H2SO4  colourless gas is formed.
Molar mass of H2SO4 (ii) Sulphur dioxide and water
= 0.05 mol  98.1 g mol1 (iii) S(s) + 2H2SO4(l)
= 4.905 g  3SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Mass of 95 % H2SO4
4.905 g 13. (a) Concentrated sulphuric acid
= (b) Cu(s) + 2H2SO4(l)
95 %
= 5.163 g  CuSO4(s) + 2H2O(l) + SO2(g)
Volume of 95 % H2SO4 (c) It is used to absorb the water in the
M ass sulphur dioxide produced.
= (d) This is because sulphur dioxide is
Density
denser than air.
5.163 g (e) 1. Wear rubber gloves and safety
=
1.83 g cm 3 spectacles because
= 2.821 cm3 concentrated sulphuric acid is
corrosive.
12. (a) (i) A white solid is firstly formed
2. Perform the experiment in a
and it dissolves in the solution
well-ventilated laboratory.
afterwards.
This is because sulphur
(ii) Barium sulphate and nitric
dioxide is toxic and corrosive.
acid
Also, it has a characteristic
(iii) H2SO4(aq) + Ba(NO3)2(aq)
choking and pungent smell.
 BaSO4(s) + 2HNO3(aq)
(b) (i) A white solid is formed.
14. HKCEE Question
(ii) Calcium sulphate and
hydrogen chloride
(iii) H2SO4(aq) + CaCl2(aq) 15. 1. It is a colourless gas at room
temperature and pressure.
 CaSO4(s) + 2HCl(g)
2. It has a characteristic choking and
(c) (i) The blue crystals change to
pungent smell.
white solids.
3. It is much denser than air.
(ii) Copper(II) sulphate and water
4. It is toxic and corrosive.
(iii) CuSO45H2O(s) 5. It is very soluble in water but
conc. H2SO4 insoluble in non-aqueous solvents.
  CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(l) (Any three)
(d) (i) A black solid is formed.
(ii) Carbon and water 16. 1. Heating sodium sulphite with dilute
(iii) (C6H10O5)n(s) hydrochloric acid
conc. H2SO4 2. Heating concentrated sulphuric acid
  6nC(s) + 5nH2O(l) with copper turnings
(e) (i) The carbon dissolves and a 3. Heating sulphur with concentrated
colourless gas is formed. sulphuric acid
(ii) Carbon dioxide, sulphur
dioxide and water
(iii) C(s) + 2H2SO4(l)
 CO2(g) + 2SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

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 Chapter 27 87

17. (a) 1. It is a colourless gas at room 2. In aqueous chlorine, the hypochlorite ions
temperature and pressure. are responsible for the bleaching action. In
2. It has a characteristic choking aqueous sulphur dioxide, sulphur dioxide
and pungent smell. molecules and sulphite ions are
3. It is toxic and corrosive. responsible for the bleaching action.
4. It is much denser than air. Aqueous chlorine bleaches by oxidation.
5. It is very soluble in water but That is, the dye behaves as a reducing
insoluble in non-aqueous agent to undergo oxidation while the
solvents. hypochlorite ions act as an oxidizing agent
(Any two) to undergo reduction.
(b) Na2SO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) oxidation
 2NaCl(aq) + SO2(g) + H2O(l)
(c)
+1 0 1 +2 2
 
ClO (aq) + dye  Cl (aq) + (dye + O)
(coloured) colourless)

reduction

Sulphur dioxide molecules and sulphite

ions bleach by reduction. That is, the dye
behaves as an oxidizing agent to undergo
reduction while the sulphur dioxide
molecules or sulphite ions act as reducing
(d) (i) The solution changes from agents to undergo oxidation.
purple to colourless / pale oxidation
pink.
(ii) 2MnO4(aq) + 5SO2(g) + +4 +6
2H2O(l) SO2(aq) + H2O(l) + dye  SO42(aq) +
 2Mn2+(aq)+ 5SO42(aq) + (coloured)
4H+(aq)
(e) Wool / Silk / Straw / Paper 2H+(aq) + (dye  O)
(Any two) (colourless)

18 - 19. HKCEE Questions reduction

or
D. Essay-type Questions
oxidation
1. HKCEE Question
+4 +6
SO3 (aq) + dye  SO42(aq) + (dye  O)
2

(coloured) (colourless)

reduction

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88 Part 6

The bleaching effect of aqueous chlorine

lasts for a long time at room conditions
because the dye has been oxidized by
hypochlorite ions. Oxygen gas in air can
no longer oxidize the oxidized dye (dye +
O). However, the bleaching effect of
aqueous sulphur dioxide (SO2(aq)) only
lasts for a short time at room conditions
(i.e. not permanent) because oxygen gas in
air can oxidize the reduced dye (dye  O).
2(dye  O) + O2(g)  2dye
(colourless) (coloured)
Besides, the bleaching effect of aqueous
chlorine is fast and vigorous while that of
sulphur dioxide is slow and mild.

Chapter 27 Solutions (EE).doc