15 Facts on H2SO4 + Fe3O4: What, How to Balance & FAQs

H2SO4 (Sulphuric acid) is a strong acid and Fe3O4 (Iron oxide) occurs in nature as the mineral magnetite. Let us know some facts  about the H2SO4 + Fe3O4.

Sulphuric acid is also known as oil of vitriol. It is colorless, odorless viscous liquid. Iron (II, III) oxide is composed with the elements Oxygen and Iron. It is one of the oxides of the iron.

In this article we will discuss about the reaction between Sulphuric acid and Iron (II, III) oxide, balancing of equation and net ionic equation of the reaction.

What is the product of H2SO4 and Fe3O4

Ferric sulphate [Fe2(SO4)3], Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) and Water (H2O) are produced in the reaction between H2SO4 and Fe3O4.

4H2SO4 + Fe3O4 = Fe2(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + 4H2O

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + Fe3O4

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is a double displacement reaction.

How to balance H2SO4 + Fe3O4

The reaction is balanced using following steps:

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 = Fe2(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + H2O

  • The number of atoms present on both sides is counted which should be the same.
Reactant SideProduct Side
2-Hydrogen atom2-Hydrogen atom
8-Oxygen atom17-Oxygen atom
1-Sulphur atom4-Sulphur atom
3-Iron atom3-Iron atom
Table representing number of atoms present in reactant side and product side
  • The numbers of Sulpur atoms of both the sides of the reaction balance by adding coefficient 4 to the Sulphuric acid molecule at reactant side.
  • 4H2SO4 + Fe3O4 = Fe2(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + H2O
  • The number of Oxygen  atoms of both the sides of the reaction balance by adding coefficient 4 to the water  molecule at product side.
  • 4H2SO4 + Fe3O4 = Fe2(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + 4H2O
  • So the balanced chemical reaction is:
  • 4H2SO4 + Fe3O4 = Fe2(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + 4H2O

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 Titration

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 do not undergo titration because there is no equivalence point

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 net ionic equation

The net ionic equation is

Fe3O4(s) = 2Fe3+(aq) + Fe2+ + 4O2-

This net ionic equation is derived using the steps mentioned below

  • The balanced equation with phases for H2SO4 + Fe3O4
  • 4H2SO4(aq) + Fe3O4 (s) = Fe2(SO4)3(aq) + FeSO4(aq) + 4H2O(aq)
  • Then the equation written in splitting of compounds
  • 4H2+(aq) + 4SO42-(aq) + Fe3O4(s) = 2Fe3+(aq) + 3SO42-(aq) + Fe2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + 4H2+(aq) + 4O2-(aq)
  • The net ionic equation is as follows by removing the spectator ions (ions those are same on reactant & product sides).
  •  Fe3O4(s) = 2Fe3+(aq) + Fe2+(aq) + 4O2-(aq)

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs of H2SO4 + Fe3O4 are as follows:

  • The conjugate base of H2SO4 is SO42-
  • The conjugate pair of Fe3O4 is O42-

H2SO4 and Fe3O4 Intermolecular forces

Intermolecular forces present in H2SO4 + Fe3O4 are as follows:

  • Hydogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction and Van der Waals dispersion are the intermolecular forces in H2SO4.
  • Iron (II, III) oxide is ionicaly  bonded to each other.

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is -282.97 KJ/mol.

CompoundMolesEnthalpy of formation, ΔH0f (KJ/mol)
H2SO44-814
Fe3O41-1118.4
Fe2(SO4)31-2585.2
FeSO41-928.85
H2O4-285.83
Bond enthalpy values
  • The standard enthalpy of a reaction is calculated using the formula:
  • ΔH0f (reaction) = ΣΔH0f (product) – ΣΔH0f (reactants)
  • Thus, Enthalpy change =
  • [1*(-2585.2) + 1*(-928.85) + 4*(-285.83)] – [4*(-814.0) + 1*(-1118.4)] KJ/mol
  • = -282.97 KJ/mol

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a buffer solution

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 reaction does not form a buffer solution because Sulphuric acid is a strong acid and there can only be present a weak acid or base in buffer solution.

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a complete reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is a complete reaction and the products like Ferric sulphate, Ferrous sulphate and water are formed after completion of the reaction.

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is an exothermic reaction because calculated enthalpy is negative that is -282.97 KJ/mol.

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a redox reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is a redox reaction due to change in oxidation state of iron (Fe) ion on reactant and product side.

4H2++ 4SO42- + Fe38/3O4 = 2Fe3+ + 3SO42- + Fe2+ + SO42- + 4H2+ + 4O2-

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a precipitation reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 reaction is not a precipitation reaction because no precipitate is formed during the reaction.

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a reversible or irreversible reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is an irreversible reaction because the product formed do not combine to reform reactants under the same condition.

Is H2SO4 + Fe3O4 a displacement reaction

H2SO4 + Fe3O4 is a double displacement reaction, in which sulphate ion is displaced from H2SO4 molecule and oxygen ion from Fe3O4 molecule to form Ferric sulphate and water.

Conclusion

Sulphuric acid reacts with Ferric oxide it gives Ferric sulphate, Ferrous sulphate and Water. It is a double displacement as well as redox reaction, it founds negative reaction enthalpy hence it is exothermic reaction.