The Chemistry Behind H2SO4 + Be: 15 Facts You Should Know

Beryllium is a strong, lightweight and steel-grey coloured alkaline earth metal. Let us read about some facts about H2SO4 and Be reaction in this article.

H2SO4 is a miscible liquid and a strong acid. Its concentrated solution is corrosive to metals. Be is a divalent atom that occurs in the form of minerals.

This article will discuss key facts about the H2SO4 + Be reaction, like the redox reaction, balanced chemical equation and intermolecular forces.

What is the product of H2SO4 and Be

Beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) and hydrogen (H2) are the products of the H2SO4 and Be reaction. The chemical equation for this reaction is:

H2SO4 + Be = BeSO4 + H2

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + Be

H2SO4 and Be reaction is a single displacement reaction.

How to balance H2SO4 + Be

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is,

H2SO4 + Be = BeSO4 + H2

The steps mentioned below must be used to derive the balanced chemical equation:

  • Write the general unbalanced equation for the H2SO4 +Be reaction.
  • H2SO4 + Be = BeSO4 + H2
  • Count the number of atoms present on each side of the chemical equation. The number of atoms is as follows:
AtomsNumber of reactant sideNumber on product side
H22
S11
O44
Be11
Number of atoms on each side
  • The number of atoms on each side is equal, so the equation is already balanced.
  • Thus, the balanced chemical equation is,
  • H2SO4 + Be = BeSO4 + H2

H2SO4 + Be titration

H2SO4 + Be does not represent any titration. H2SO4 is a strong acid, but Be is neither an acid nor a base but a metal. Metals cannot be titrated; therefore, titration of H2SO4 and Be is not feasible.

H2SO4 + Be net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H2SO4 + Be is,

2H+ (aq.) + Be (s) = Be2+ (aq.) + H2 (g)

To deduce the net ionic equation of H2SO4 + Be, the following steps should be used:

  • Write the balanced chemical equation indicating the chemical state (s, l, g or aq.) of each compound.
  • H2SO4 (aq.) + Be (s) = BeSO4 (aq.) + H2 (g)
  • Strong electrolytes will split into their ions in aqueous form.
  • 2H+ + SO42- + Be = Be2+ + SO42- + H2
  • 2H+ (aq.) + Be (s) = Be2+ (aq.) + H2 (g)

H2SO4 + Be conjugate pairs

H2SO4 and Be do not contribute to any conjugate pairs though the conjugate pair of H2SO4 is HSO4.

H2SO4 and Be intermolecular forces

The forces of interaction between H2SO4 and Be molecules are listed below:

  • Beryllium contains covalent bonds.
  • Dipole-dipole interactions are present in H2 molecules.

H2SO4 + Be reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H2SO4 + Be is -287.73 kJ/mol. The standard enthalpy of formation of reactants and products is;

MoleculesEnthalpy of reaction (in kJ/mol)
H2SO4-909.27
Be0
BeSO4-1197
H20
Reaction enthalpy of reactants and products

Standard enthlpy of reaction (ΔHf) = Standard enthalpy of formation (products – reactants)

ΔHf = (-1197 – 0) – (-909.27 – 0)

Thus, ΔHf = -287.73 kJ/mol.

Is H2SO4 + Be a buffer solution

H2SO4 and Be is not a buffer solution because H2SO4 is a strong acid, but a weak acid must be available so a solution can act as a buffer.

Is H2SO4 + Be a complete reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is a complete reaction and no other step can be performed.

Is H2SO4 + Be an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is an endothermic reaction because the value of ΔHf is negative.

Is H2SO4 + Be a redox reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is a redox reaction in which beryllium is oxidised and hydrogen is reduced.

Is H2SO4 + Be a precipitation reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is not a precipitation reaction as all the products formed are either in the aqueous or gaseous state.

Is H2SO4 + Be reversible or irreversible reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is an irreversible reaction as the chemical path for the reaction has only one way and the H2 gas evolved cannot be dissolved back.

Is H2SO4 + Be displacement reaction

H2SO4 + Be reaction is a single displacement reaction in which Be atom displaces the H atom from its acid to form another compound.

Screenshot 20221220 183932 1
Double displacement reaction

Conclusion:

This article concludes that metal and acid react to form salt and hydrogen gas evolved. The hydrogen gas evolved can be tested using the burning candle test. The reaction between H2SOand Be proceeds with the evolution of heat.