15 Facts on H2SO4 + Ag2S: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a strong acid, and silver sulphide (Ag₂S) is a dense black solid. Let’s study the various aspects of the H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S reaction in detail.

Sulphuric acid is a corrosive liquid that is dense, colourless, and oily. It completely ionizes in water as it’s a strong acid. Silver sulphide is an inorganic compound which is the only sulphide of silver. It is helpful in photography as a photosensitizer.

In this article, we will focus on several characteristics of the H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S reaction in depth.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and Ag₂S?

Ag₂S reacts with H₂SO₄ to form H₂S (hydrogen sulphide) and Ag₂SO₄ (silver sulphate).

Ag₂S(s) + H₂SO₄(aq) → Ag₂SO₄(s) + H₂S(s) 

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄+Ag₂S?

H₂SO₄ and Ag₂S belong to the category of double displacement reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄+Ag₂S?

• The general equation of the H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S reaction is as follows: Ag₂S + H₂SO₄ → Ag₂SO₄ + H₂S
• The reaction is said to be balanced when the moles of reactant are equal to the moles of product.
• The above reaction is already balanced. Hence, the balanced reaction is given by: Ag₂S + H₂SO₄ → Ag₂SO₄ + H₂S

H₂SO₄+Ag₂S titration

H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S can be titrated to determine the quantity of Ag. However, because the reaction produces a precipitate, it should be carried out carefully.

Apparatus used

Pipette, Erlenmeyer flask, burette holder, burette, wash bottle, dropper, volumetric flask and beakers.

Titre and titrant

In H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S titration, H₂SO₄ is titrant, and the titre is AgNO₃.

Indicator

Phenolphthalein, an acid-base indicator, is employed to detect the end point of the titration.

Procedure

• A burette was used to take standardized H₂SO₄, and an Erlenmeyer flask was used to take AgNO₃.
• 1-2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator were added.
• H₂SO₄ from the burette was added dropwise into the conical flask until the solution changed from colourless to light pink.
• To obtain three concordant readings the process was repeated.

H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S net ionic equation

The balanced net ionic equation of H₂SO₄+Ag₂S is as follows:

Ag₂S(s) + 2H⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq) → Ag₂SO₄(s) + H₂S(s)

H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S conjugate pairs

H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S reaction don’t form conjugate pairs because they do not conjugate to produce the products.

H₂SO₄  and Ag₂S intermolecular forces

H₂SO₄  and Ag₂S have the following intermolecular forces,

• The intermolecular forces in H₂SO₄ are Van der Waal’s dispersion, Dipole-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding.
• Being an ionic compound, Ag₂S has ion-dipole interactions.

 H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S reaction enthalpy

The standard reaction enthalpy of the H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S reaction is negative.

Is H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S a buffer solution?

H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S don’t form a buffer solution because of the strong acid H₂SO_4.

Is H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S a complete reaction?

H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S reaction is complete because hydrogen sulphide and silver sulphate are formed in the same amount and don’t undergo further reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

The reaction between H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S is an exothermic reaction and the heat released is used to complete the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S a redox reaction?

Redox reaction doesn’t occur when H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S react because the oxidation state of reactants and products remains the same.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S a precipitation reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S is a precipitation reaction as it leads to the formation of precipitates like Ag₂SO₄ and H₂S.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S reversible or irreversible reaction?

The reaction between H₂SO₄ +Ag₂S is irreversible as the reactants do not combine with products to reform them.

Is H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S displacement reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S is a double displacement reaction cations and anions exchange their position resulting in the formation of a new product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reaction between H₂SO₄ + Ag₂S has a high synthetic application and can be categorized as a double displacement and precipitation reaction with a negative enthalpy. The reaction is irreversible. Heat is liberated during the process.