15 Facts on H2SO4 + CaCl2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

The reaction between H2SO4 and CaCl2 is a reaction that takes place in a boiling solution. Let us discuss this deeply.

H2SO4 is a very strong acid that is a major constituent in oil of vitriol and is an oxidant that acts as a dehydrating agent and helps manufacture lots of fertilizers. CaCl2 is a white-colored powder which is crystalline in nature. CaCl2 is also hygroscopic and helps in road surfacing. 

With the help of a completely balanced chemical equation of both reactants, a few facts will be discussed in the article below.

What is the product of H2SO4 and CaCl2

CaSO4(Calcium Sulphate) and HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) are the products which are formed by the reaction of H2SO4 and CaCl2 .

H2SO4 +CaCl2→CaSO4+HCl

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + CaCl2

The reaction of H2SO4 and CaCl2 is a double displacement reaction as a mutual exchange of ions takes place.

How to balance H2SO4 + CaCl2

The equation is balanced using the following steps:

H2SO4 +CaCl2→CaSO4+HCl

  • Write the different elements present in the reaction. 
  • Write the number of atoms of each element on both sides ( reactant and product side)
  • Equalise the number of atoms on both sides.
ElementsNumber of atoms on reactant sideNumber of atoms on reactant side
H21
S11
O44
Ca11
Cl21
Number of atoms on both sides
  • The balanced chemical equation is,
  • H2SO4 +CaCl2→CaSO4+2HCl

H2SO4 +CaCl2 titration

The titration of H2SO4 + CaCl2 is not possible because the product formed, CaSO4 is insoluble.

H2SO4 + CaCl2 net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H2SO4 + CaCl2 is

Ca2+(aq) +SO42-(aq)→ CaSO4 (s).

The net ionic equation is deduced using the following steps:

  • Write the balanced chemical equation.
  • H2SO4+CaCl2→CaSO4+2HCl
  • Write the physical state of each compound along with them.
  • H2SO4(aq) +CaCl2(aq)→CaSO4(s)+HCl(aq)
  • Dissociate the strong electrolytes into their respective ions.
  • H2SO4→ 2H ++ SO42-
  • CaCl2→Ca2++2Cl
  • 2HCl→2H+ +2Cl
  • Remove the spectator ions.
  • Ca2+(aq) +SO42-(aq)→ CaSO4 (s)
  • Thus the net ionic equation is-
  • Ca2+(aq) +SO42-(aq)→ CaSO4 (s).

H2SO4 + CaCl2 conjugate pairs

  • H2SO4 has conjugate base pair H2SO4 as it is a strong acid.
  • CaCl2 does not have any conjugate pair as it is a salt.

H2SO4 and CaCl2 intermolecular forces

  • CaCl2 forms an ionic bond by donating two electrons to chlorine atoms from Calcium atoms.

H2SO4 + CaCl2 reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H2SO4 + CaCl2 is -0.0499 kJ which is very high.

Is H2SO4 +CaCl2 a buffer solution

H2SO4 +CaCl2 is not a buffer solution because H2SO4 is a strong acid whereas a buffer solution always contains a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

Is H2SO4 + CaCl2 a complete reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is a complete reaction because two products exchange their ions to form two different products. 

Is H2SO4 + CaCl2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is highly exothermic in nature because ΣΔH°f(reactants) > ΣΔH°f(products), hence a lot of heat energy is released.

Is H2SO4 +CaCl2 a redox reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is not a redox reaction, as oxidation states do not change during the reaction. 

oxidation
Oxidation number of various elements

Is H2SO4 + CaCl2 a precipitation reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is a precipitation reaction because the product formed- CaSO4 (Calcium Sulphate) is white colored precipitate.

Is H2SO4 + CaCl2 reversible or irreversible reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is an irreversible reaction because the products formed do not go back to the reactant state. 

Is H2SO4 + CaCl2 displacement reaction

H2SO4 + CaCl2 is a single displacement reaction precisely because one highly reactive metal- Ca displaces the less reactive element-hydrogen in this reaction.

Conclusion

The products formed, CaSO4 is usually found in gypsum form, and the chemical formula of gypsum is CaSO4.2H2O. It occurs naturally in nature, whereas HCl, also known as muriatic acid, is a very strong acid and has a pungent smell.