Sulphuric acid is a strong acid referred to as the king of acids. In contrast, sodium nitrate is a neutral base. Let us study how H2SO4 and NaNO3 react.
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is a salt metathesis reaction. Sulphuric acid is also known as the oil of vitriol. It is a transparent, odourless, viscous liquid. In contrast, sodium nitrate is a neutral salt formed by combining sodium hydroxide and nitric acid. It is a key ingredient of fertilisers.
In this article we will study the type, product, and balancing of the H2SO4 + NaNO3 reaction.
What is the product of H2SO4 and NaNO3?
Na2SO4 (Sodium Sulphate) and HNO3 (Nitric Acid) are formed on the reaction of H2SO4 and NaNO3.
H2SO4 + NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + HNO3
What type of Reaction is H2SO4 + NaNO3
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is a double displacement reaction where the ions of the ionic compounds exchange their site to form two new compounds.
How to Balance H2SO4 + NaNO3
The equation is balanced using hit-and-trial method by using the following steps.
H2SO4 + NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + HNO3
- First, we will compare the reactants’ atoms with the product’s atoms.
| Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|
| 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid | 1 Hydrogen atom unit Nitric Acid |
| 1 Sulphate unit from Sulphuric Acid | 1 Sulphate anion unit Sodium Sulphate |
| 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate | 2 Sodium atom units Sodium Sulphate |
| 1 Nitrate unit from Sodium Nitrate | 1 Nitrate unit from Nitric Acid |
- We can see that the sodium and hydrogen are imbalanced.
- Thus, we will balance the sodium by putting coefficient 2 on the reactant side.
- H2SO4 + 2NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + HNO3
- On putting the coefficient 2, the number of nitrate ions is also increased to 2 on the reactant side.
- Thus, we will balance it by putting in 2HNO3.
- H2SO4 + 2NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + 2HNO3
- On putting 2HNO3, the number of hydrogen is also balanced.
- Hence, we can summarise that the above equation is the required balanced equation.
- H2SO4 + 2NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + 2HNO3
H2SO4 + NaNO3 Titration
H2SO4 + NaNO3 does not undergo titration as there is no equivalence point.
H2SO4 + NaNO3 Net Ionic Equation
The net ionic equation of H2SO4 + NaNO3 is
2H+ + 2NO3– → 2HNO3.
To derive the net ionic equation, we will follow the following steps.
- Foremost, we will write the balanced equation to calculate the net ionic equation.
- H2SO4 (aq) + 2NaNO3 (s) → Na2SO4 (aq) + 2HNO3 (aq)
- Hence, the total ionic equation for the above equation will be:
- 2H+ + SO42- + 2Na+ + 2NO3– → 2Na+ + SO42- + 2HNO3
- 2Na+ and SO42- are present in reactant and product, Thus, will get cancelled out.
- Hence, the net ionic equation would be:
- 2H+ + 2NO3– → 2HNO3
H2SO4 + NaNO3 Conjugate Pairs
- The conjugate base of H2SO4 is sulphate ion (SO42-).
- NaNO3 has no conjugate pair due to the absence of protons.
H2SO4 and NaNO3 Intermolecular Forces
- H2SO4 contains hydrogen bonding, electrostatic force, van der Waals force and dipole-dipole intermolecular force of attraction.
- NaNO3 contains electrostatic force and van der Waals intermolecular force of attraction.
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 a Buffer Solution
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is not a buffer solution, as it is a strong acid solution and a neutral salt.
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 a Complete Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is a complete reaction as no reactant is left at the end of reaction.
H2SO4 + 2NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + 2HNO3
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 an Endothermic Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is an endothermic reaction, as heat is supplied during the reaction and the value of delta G is more than zero (positive).
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 a Redox Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is not a redox reaction as the compound does not undergo oxidation or reduction.
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 a Precipitation Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is not a precipitation reaction, as no insoluble residue is formed.
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 Reversible Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is a reversible reaction as we can get products from the reactant.
Is H2SO4 + NaNO3 Displacement Reaction
H2SO4 + NaNO3 is a displacement reaction as the sulphate ion displaces the nitrate ion from sodium nitrate to form sodium sulphate. And the hydrogen ion replaces the sodium ion from sodium nitrate to form nitric acid.
H2SO4 + 2NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + 2HNO3
How to Balance NaNO3 + Cu + H2SO4 = NO + CuSO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O
The equation is balanced using the following steps by the hit-and-trial method.
NaNO3 + Cu + H2SO4 = NO + CuSO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O
- First, we will compare the reactants’ atoms with the product’s atoms.
| Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|
| 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate | 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate |
| 1 Nitrogen unit from Sodium Nitrate | 1 Nitrogen unit from Nitrogen Oxide |
| 3 Oxygen units from Sodium Nitrate | 2 Oxygen units from Nitrogen Oxide and Water |
| 1 Copper unit | 1 Copper unit |
| 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid |
| 1 Sulphate unit from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Sulphate units from Sodium Sulphate and copper sulphate |
- Now, we will put the coefficients such that the atoms of reactants are equal to the atoms of the products.
- Thus, the balanced equation is:
- 2NaNO3 + 3Cu + 4H2SO4 = 2NO + 3CuSO4 + Na2SO4 + 4H2O
How to Balance NaNO2 + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = NaNO3 + Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + H2O
The equation is balanced using the following steps by the hit-and-trial method.
NaNO2 + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = NaNO3 + Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + H2O
- Foremost, we will compare the atoms of reactants atoms with the atoms of the product.
| Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|
| 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrite | 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate |
| 1 Nitrogen unit from Sodium Nitrite | 1 Nitrogen unit from Sodium Nitrate |
| 9 Oxygen units from Sodium Nitrite and Potassium dichromate | 4 Oxygen units from Sodium Nitrate and Water |
| 2 Potassium units from Potassium dichromate | 2 Potassium units from Potassium sulphate |
| 2 Chromium units from Potassium dichromate | 2 Chromium units from Chromium Sulphate |
| 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Hydrogen units from Water |
| 1 Sulphate unit from Sulphuric Acid | 4 Sulphate units from Chromium Sulphate and Potassium Sulphate |
- Now, we will mark the coefficients so that the atoms of reactants are equivalent to the atoms of the products.
- Thus, the balanced equation is:
- NaNO2 + 3K2Cr2O7 + 4H2SO4 = 3NaNO3 + Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 4H2O
How to Balance NaNO3 + KI + H2SO4 = I2 + NO + K2SO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O
The equation is balanced using the following steps by the hit-and-trial method.
NaNO3 + KI + H2SO4 = I2 + NO + K2SO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O
- To balance the equation, we will equate the reactant atom with the product atom.
| Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|
| 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate | 2 Sodium units from Sodium Sulphate |
| 1 Nitrogen unit from Sodium Nitrate | 1 Nitrogen unit from Nitrogen Oxide |
| 3 Oxygen units from Sodium Nitrate | 2 Oxygen units from Nitrogen Oxide and Water |
| 1 Potassium unit from Potassium Iodide | 2 Potassium units from Potassium Sulphate |
| 1 Iodide unit from Potassium Iodide | 2 Iodine units from Iodide |
| 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Hydrogen units from Water |
| 1 Sulphate unit from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Sulphate units from Potassium Sulphate and Sodium Sulphate |
- Now, we will put the coefficients such that the atoms of the reactants equal the product atoms.
- Thus, the balanced equation is:
- 2NaNO3 + 6KI + 4H2SO4 = 3I2 + 2NO + 3K2SO4 + Na2SO4 + 4H2O
How to Balance NaNO3 + KMnO4 + H2SO4 = NO2 + K2SO4 + Na2SO4 + MnSO4 + H2O
The equation is balanced using the following steps by the hit-and-trial method.
NaNO3 + KMnO4 + H2SO4 = NO2 + K2SO4 + Na2SO4 + MnSO4 + H2O
- To balance the equation, we will equate the reactant atom with the product atom.
| Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|
| 1 Sodium unit from Sodium Nitrate | 2 Sodium units from Sodium Sulphate |
| 1 Nitrogen unit from Sodium Nitrate | 1 Nitrogen unit from Nitrogen dioxide |
| 7 Oxygen units from Sodium Nitrate and Potassium Permanganate | 3 Oxygen units from Nitrogen dioxide and Water |
| 1 Potassium unit Potassium Permanganate | 2 Potassium units Potassium Sulphate |
| 1 Manganese unit from Potassium Permanganate | 1 Manganese unit from Manganese Sulphate |
| 2 Hydrogen units from Sulphuric Acid | 2 Hydrogen units from Water |
| 1 Sulphate unit from Sulphuric Acid | 3 Sulphate units from Potassium Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate and Sodium Sulphate |
- Now, we will put the coefficients so that the atoms of the reactants are equivalent to the product atoms.
- Thus, the balanced equation is:
- 10NaNO3 + 2KMnO4 + 8H2SO4 = 15NO2 + K2SO4 + 5Na2SO4 + 2MnSO4 + 8H2O
Conclusion
Sulphuric acid reacts with Sodium Nitrate to give a salt metathesis reaction yielding sodium sulphate and nitric acid. It is a reversible reaction; no oxidation or reduction occurs during the reaction, i.e., it is not a redox reaction.
Read more facts on H2SO4:
Hi, I am Leena Raswant, a chemistry postgraduate. I thrive on challenges and continually specified goals. I aim to learn, unlearn, relearn and spread my knowledge in the best possible ways. Currently, I am working as a chemistry educator and a freelance writer.