15 Facts on H2SO4 +Mg2Si: What, How to Balance & FAQs

Magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) is a crystalline solid inorganic compound. Let’s see its reaction with Sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

Mg2Si is water-insoluble and denser than water. It forms a face-centered cubic antifluorite structure. Si4- ion can be thought of as the main component of magnesium silicide. It reacts with acid. H2SO4 is highly soluble in water. It is available in oily, liquid form. It is one of the strongest acids available.

In this article, we shall discuss the reaction between H2SO4 + Mg2Si, and some interesting facts.

1. What is the product of H2SO4 and Mg2Si?

Silicon tetrahydride (SiH4), also known as Silane, and Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) are formed as products by the reaction between H2SO4 and Mg2Si. The reaction is,

H2SO4 + Mg2Si → SiH4 + MgSO4

2. What type of reaction is H2SO4 + Mg2Si?

The type of reaction between H2SO4 and Mg2Si is a double displacement reaction, else known as Metathesis reaction.

3. How to balance H2SO4 + Mg2Si?

To balance the equation between H2SO4 and Mg2Si, we must determine whether an equal number of individual atoms (H, S, O, Mg, and Si) are present on both the reactant and product sides.

  • Since four molecules are present, we first designate each one as A, B, C, and D.
  • This is how the response appears: A H2SO4 + B Mg2Si = C SiH4 + D MgSO4.
  • Using the appropriate values, we now figure out how many coefficients are listed in the reactants and products as alphabets.
ElementReaction sideProduct side
Hydrogen2A+ 0B4C+0D
Sulfur1A+ 0B0C+1D
Oxygen4A+0B0C+4D
Magnesium0A+2B0C+1D
Silicon0A+1B1C+0D
Values of coefficients
  • The Gaussian elimination procedure is used in Step 3 to get the coefficient and variables needed to balance the equation.
  • A= 2(H2SO4), B= 1(Mg2Si), C= 1(SiH4), D= 2(MgSO4)
  • Now, an equal number of each element is present on both the reactant and product side.
ElementReaction sideProduct side
Hydrogen44
Sulfur22
Oxygen88
Magnesium22
Silicon11
Balanced number of atoms
  • The balanced equation of the reaction between H2SO4 and Mg2Si is,
  •  2H2SO4+ Mg2Si = SiH4 + 2MgSO4.

4. H2SO4 + Mg2Si titration

Titration between H2SO4 and Mg2Si cannot be predicted as acid-base reaction though H2SO4 is a strong acid. Mg2Si does not act as a base in the reaction. It does, however, indicate the possibility of redox titration with certain anomalies.

5. H2SO4+ Mg2Si net ionic equation

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction’s net ionic equation is,

4H+(aq) + Si4-(s) = Si(4+)H4(-1) (g)

  • A molecular equation needs to be balanced and consider each compound’s phase.
  • 2H2SO4(aq) + Mg2Si(s) → SiH4(g) +2MgSO4(s)
  • It is necessary to convert the aqueous salts or chemicals in the equation into ions. Because they can entirely dissociate, only the strong electrolytes should be broken down.
  • 4H++2SO42-+ 2Mg2++Si4- = Si4++4H + 2Mg2+ + 2SO42-
  • We eliminate the spectator ions to reveal the species that are truly involved in the reaction.
  • The net ionic equation is,
  • 4H+(aq) + Si4-(s) = Si(4+)H4(-1)(g)

6. H2SO4 + Mg2Si conjugate pairs

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction has the following conjugate pairs,

  • HSO4 is H2SO4’s conjugate base.
  • Si4- is SiH4‘s conjugate base.

7. H2SO4 and Mg2Si intermolecular forces

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction has the following intermolecular forces,

MoleculeIntermolecular forces
H2SO4Dipole-dipole, hydrogen bond, Van der Waal’s
Mg2SiComplex ionic bond, metallic bond
SiH4Covalent bond
MgSO4Ionic bond
Intermolecular forces

8. H2SO4 + Mg2Si reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H2SO4 + Mg2Si is -860. 49 KJ/ mol.

CompoundMolesEnthalpy of formation, ΔH0f (KJ/mol)
H2SO42-814
Mg2Si1-21.20
SiH4134.31
MgSO42-1272
Values of formation enthalpy of moleculus
  • The following formula is used to compute a reaction’s standard enthalpy,
  • The formula is, ΔH0f (reaction) = ΣΔH0f (product) – ΣΔH0f (reactants)
  • Thus, enthalpy change = [2*(-1272) + 1*(34.31)] – [2*(-814) + 1*(-21.20)] KJ/mol= -860.49 KJ/mol

9. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a buffer solution

H2SO4 + Mg2Si will not create a buffer solution as strong acid H2SO4 is present.

10. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a complete reaction

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction is complete because it results in Silane and Magnesium sulfate, two stable molecules.

11. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction is exothermic because it generates heat in the environment while creating the result.

12. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a redox reaction

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction is redox in nature due to the change in silicon ions’ and hydrogen ions’ oxidation states on the reactant and product sides.

ox red 1
Redox reaction

13. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a precipitation reaction

H2SO4 + Mg2Si reaction is not a precipitation process since no precipitate is produced.

14. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a reversible or irreversible reaction

H2SO4 and Mg2Si reaction is an irreversible reaction due to the fact that the products produced do not revert to the reactants under the same conditions.

15. Is H2SO4 + Mg2Si a displacement reaction

Double displacement occurs when H2SO4 and Mg2Si react. Sulfate ions are removed from the H2SO4 molecules and silicon ions from the Mg2Si molecule to create Silane and Magnesium sulfate.

double dis1
Double displacement reaction

Conclusion

Silane and magnesium sulfate, employed in both commercial and scientific settings, were synthesized by mixing H2SO4 and Mg2Si. Silane is a component of fiberglass that enhances its electrical and mechanical qualities. Magnesium sulfate is used to control viscosity in liquid soaps and detergents.