Carry out reactions confirming the qualitative composition of sulfuric acid. Write the reaction equations
To confirm the qualitative composition of sulfuric acid, it is necessary to carry out two reactions: the reaction to hydrogen and the reaction to the sulfate ion.
1). Let’s perform the first reaction, the reaction to hydrogen:
An indicator, for example methyl orange, must be added to the sulfuric acid solution, which, in the presence of hydrogen in the solution, will change its original orange color to red.
Or add a metal to a solution of sulfuric acid, for example zinc, a reaction will occur with the release of hydrogen:
H2SO4 + Zn = ZnSO4 + H2;
2). Second reaction to sulfate ion:
Barium chloride must be added to the solution. The precipitation of a white precipitate will indicate the presence of sulfate ions in the solution:
H2SO4 + BaCl2 = BaSO4 (precipitate) + 2HCl.