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Chapter 22: Problem 77

Describe two reactions in which sulfuric acid acts as an oxidizing agent.

Short Answer

Expert verified
1) Oxidation of Carbon: C + 2H_2SO_4 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2SO_2 + 2H_2O 2) Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide: H_2S + 2H_2SO_4 \rightarrow 3S + 2H_2O

Step by step solution

01

Reaction 1: Oxidation of Carbon

Sulfuric acid can oxidize carbon in a vigorous reaction. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: \[ C + 2H_2SO_4 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2SO_2 + 2H_2O \] In this reaction, sulfuric acid (H_2SO_4) oxidizes carbon (C) to carbon dioxide (CO_2) and is itself reduced to sulfur dioxide (SO_2).
02

Reaction 2: Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide

Sulfuric acid also acts as an oxidizing agent when it reacts with hydrogen sulfide. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: \[ H_2S + 2H_2SO_4 \rightarrow 3S + 2H_2O \] In this reaction, sulfuric acid (H_2SO_4) oxidizes hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) to sulfur (S) and is itself reduced to sulfur dioxide (SO_2).

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