15 Facts on H2SO4+ Ag: What, How to Balance & FAQs

Sulphuric acid and silver are two inorganic compounds which reacts to form salts. Let us see, how reaction takes place between them

H₂SO₄ + Ag undergo reaction by replacing one element with another in a compound. H₂SO₄ comes in category of mineral acids, known in antiquity as oil of vitriol. However, silver is lustrous, white transition metal with atomic number 47, generally found in free elemental form in the earth crust.

In this article, we will learn about the type of reaction that occurs when H₂SO₄ and Ag react, as well as its characteristics.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and Ag

H₂SO₄ + Ag leads to formation of water, sulfur dioxide and silver sulfate.

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ and Ag

Single displacement reaction and redox reaction takes place between H₂SO₄ and Ag.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + Ag

H₂SO₄ +Ag → AgSO₄ + H₂O + SO₂

Due to the difference in molecule counts between the reactants and products, this reaction needs to be balance using the following steps.

• Step 1: we have to tag both reactant and product side with additional variable to represent the unknowable coefficients.

• A H₂SO₄ + B Ag= C Ag₂SO₄ + D SO₂ + F H₂O
• Step 2: The expressed coefficients are used as alphabetical reactants and products.
• H=2A+2F, S=A+C+D, O= 4A+2D+F, Ag=B+2C
• Step 3: Add the coefficient values into the elimination method to estimate them.
• A= 2, B=2, C=1, D=1, F=2.
• Step 4: The balanced equation is
• 2H₂SO₄ + 2Ag = Ag₂SO₄ + SO₂ + 2H₂O.

H₂SO₄ + Ag titration

Titration between H₂SO₄ and Ag will not take place, because Ag being metal does not show reaction with acid. So, it does not show acid base titration.

H₂SO₄ + Ag net ionic equation

For given reaction, net ionic equations is:

2H⁺ + Ag → Ag⁺² + H₂

To derive the net ionic equation following steps are used:

• Every compound’s phase should be written into a balanced molecular equation.
• H₂SO₄(Aq) + Ag (s) → AgSO₄ (Aq) + H₂(g)
• The aqueous salts or compounds present in the equation must be converted to ions. Only the strong electrolytes should be broken down because they totally dissociate.
• 2H⁺ + SO₄^-2 + Ag → Ag⁺² + SO₄^-2 + H₂
• The spectator ions must be cancelled out.
• So the net ionic equation is
• 2H⁺ + Ag → Ag⁺² + H₂

H₂SO₄ + Ag conjugate pairs

• In H₂SO₄, the conjugate base is HSO₄^–.
• Ag do not have conjugate ion because it comes under category of metals.

H₂SO₄ and Ag intermolecular forces

• H₂SO₄ shows London dispersion forces because of presence of Momentary areas of positive and negative charge.
• Ag₂SO₄ shows ionic bond, because of interaction between oppositely charged species.
• H₂O shows dipole-induced dipole forces, London dispersion force and hydrogen bonds too.
• SO₂ shows dipole-dipole interaction.

H₂SO₄ and Ag reaction enthalpy

Reaction enthalpy between H₂SO₄ and Ag is 53.7 KJ/mol. The number of moles and corresponding enthalpies of each compound that is a reactant or product in the reaction are as follows.

Change in enthalpy = addition of enthalpies of formation of product – addition of enthalpies of formation of reactant.

Enthalpy change = [-715.9 + 2(-280.7) + (-297)] – [ 2(-814.4) + 2(0)]

                               = -1574.3 + 1628

                               = 53.7 kJ/mol.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag a buffer solution

H₂SO₄+Ag does not produce a buffer solution. Because H₂SO₄ being strong acid, undergoes complete dissociation into ions.

Is H₂SO₄ and Ag a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag is complete reaction, which leads to formation of silver (1) sulphate along with water and Sulphur dioxide.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag is endothermic in nature, which absorbs heat from system or surrounding.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag a redox reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag is a redox reaction because H₂SO₄ undergo reduction by acting as an oxidizing agent or oxygen atom transfer while, silver undergo oxidation by changing its oxidation state.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag a precipitation reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag shows precipitation reaction, which leads to formation of partially soluble salt Ag₂SO₄.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag shows irreversible reaction. Formation of precipitate show reaction cannot be changed back into reactants.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag displacement reaction

H₂SO₄ + Ag is single displacement reaction. Displacement takes place between H₂SO₄ and Ag, resulting in Ag₂SO₄.

Conclusion

Sulphuric acid undergo reaction with silver giving silver sulphate and byproducts. Ag₂SO₄ is white solid which is partially soluble in water and forms precipitate. This reaction acts as redox and single displacement reaction by absorbing heat energy from surrounding.

Sana Khan

Hello ….I am Sana Khan. A master’s student in organic chemistry from Nagpur University. I want to share my knowledge by publishing articles.