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

H₂SO₄ is a strong dehydrating agent and an acid. Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal. Let us look at some reactions between H₂SO₄ and Na in this article.

Na is a reactive metal that upon reacting with H₂SO₄ produces salt and gas. Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a compound composed of oxygen, sulphur and hydrogen. Concentrated H₂SO₄ can act as a strong water-removal agent in reactions. Sodium (Na) metal is highly reactive and therefore is not available in a free state.

This article, will discuss important facts about the H₂SO₄+Na reaction like precipitation, type of reaction and balanced chemical equation.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and Na

Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and hydrogen gas (H₂) are the products of H₂SO₄ and Na reaction. The chemical equation for H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is as follows:

H₂SO₄ + Na = Na₂SO₄ + H₂

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ and Na

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is a single displacement reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄ and Na

H₂SO₄ + Na balanced chemical equation is,

H₂SO₄ + 2Na = Na₂SO₄ + H₂

• The general chemical equation for the above reaction is
• H₂SO₄ + Na = Na₂SO₄ + H₂
• To check whether the number of atoms on the reactant side is equal to number of atoms available on the product side.
• Only Na atoms are not equal here, therefore we multiply a coefficient of 2 with Na on reactant side.
• Thus, the balanced chemical equation is
• H₂SO₄ + 2Na = Na₂SO₄ + H₂

H₂SO₄ and Na titration

Titration of H₂SO₄ with Na is not feasible because H₂SO₄ is an acid but Na is an elementary metal and not a base.

H₂SO₄ and Na net ionic equation

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction net ionic equation is,

2Na (s) + 2H⁺ (aq.) + SO₄^2- (aq.) = 2Na⁺ (aq.) + SO₄^2- (aq.) + H₂ (g)

• Write the general balanced chemical equation for the reaction is
• 2Na + H₂SO₄ = Na₂SO₄ + H₂
• Denote chemical states of each compound involved during the reaction.
• 2Na (s) + H₂SO₄ (aq.) = Na₂SO₄ (aq.) + H₂ (g)
• Split the strong electrolytes into their respective ions.
• 2Na (s) + 2H⁺ (aq.) + SO₄^2- (aq.) = 2Na⁺ (aq.) + SO₄^2- (aq.) + H₂ (g)
• Cancel out the spectator ions from the above equation to get the net ionic equation for H₂SO₄ + Na
• 2Na (s) + 2H⁺ (aq.) = 2Na⁺ (aq.) + H₂ (g)

H₂SO₄ and Na conjugate pairs

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction has the following conjugate pairs,

• Conjugate pair of Na is not possible, as it is an elementary metal.
• Conjugate pair of H₂SO₄ is its conjugate base HSO₄^–.

H₂SO₄ and Na intermolecular forces

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction has the following intermolecular forces,

• The intermolecular force between H₂SO₄ is hydrogen bonding. That is why sulphuric acid is miscible in water.
• Ionic interactions are present in Na₂SO₄ because it is an ionic compound.
• H₂ molecules contain dipole-dipole interactions.

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction enthalpy

H₂SO₄ and Na reaction enthalpy is -480.2 kJ/mol. Standard formation enthalpy of reactants and products involved in reaction are:

Molecules	Reaction enthalpy (in kJ/mol)
Na	0
H2SO4	-909.27
Na2SO4	-1389.51
H2	0

Δ_fH: Standard enthalpy of formation of products – Standard enthalpy of formation of reactants

Δ_fH: [ -1389.51 -0] – [-909.27]

Δ_fH: -480.2 kJ/mol

Is H₂SO₄ + Na a buffer solution

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is not a buffer solution because H₂SO₄ is a strong acid, whereas for a buffer solution we need a weak acid or weak base.

Is H₂SO₄ + Na a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is a complete reaction where H₂SO₄ and Na react to form Na₂SO₄ and H₂

Is H₂SO₄ + Na an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ and Na reaction is an exothermic reaction because the reaction enthalpy has a negative value and heat will be released during the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Na a redox reaction

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is a redox reaction where hydrogen is getting reduced and sodium is getting oxidised.

Is H₂SO₄ + Na a precipitation reaction

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is not a precipitation reaction because soluble and gaseous products are formed during the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Na reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is an irreversible reaction because the reaction path is one way and the H₂ gas evolved cannot be reverted back into the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Na displacement reaction

H₂SO₄ + Na reaction is a single displacement or substitution reaction where H­­­­₂ is getting displaced from H₂SO₄ by Na atom.

Conclusion

In the end, we can conclude that H₂SO₄ reacts with calcium to produce Na₂SO₄ and H₂. Na metal is highly reactive and should be kept away from moisture. H₂ is a highly flammable gas and that is why handled with care.