Why does sulfuric acid form acidic salts, while nitric acid does not? Give examples and name the salts.

1) Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) belongs to diacids, because it contains two hydrogen atoms and therefore can form two types of salts:

a) acid salts, if only one hydrogen atom is replaced in the acid molecule. For example:

H2SO4 + NaOH = NaHSO4 + H2O

NaHSO4 – sodium hydrogen sulfate – acidic salt.

b) medium salts are formed. if two hydrogen atoms are replaced in an acid molecule. For example:

H2SO4 + 2NaOH = Na2SO4 + 2H2O

Na2SO4 – sodium sulfate – medium salt.

2) Nitric acid (HNO3) is a monobasic acid because it contains only one hydrogen atom and forms one kind of salt.

For example:

HNO3 + KOH = KNO3 + H2O

KNO3 – potassium nitrate – medium salt.