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

H2SO4 reacts with metals through a single displacement reaction to produce salts and hydrogen gas. Let us look at some facts regarding H2SO4 and Sn reactions. 

Sulfuric acid is known as H2SO4, and it is composed of the elements hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur. It reacts with metal and produced metal sulphates. Tin is considered one of the noble metals. Strong acids, alkalis, and acid salts can have an impact on the soft, pliable metal tin(Sn).

H2SO4 is a thick, flavourless liquid and Tin(Sn) does not react with cold or diluted sulfuric acid. In this section, we will study the facts and reaction between H2SO4 + Sn metal in detail.

What is the product of H2SO4 and Sn?

When Sulfuric acid(H2SO4) is reacted with tin(Sn), the products obtained are tin(II) sulfate, sulfur dioxide and water. Concentrated sulfuric acid may need to be heated to speed up this reaction, which proceeds slowly and follows the following equation: 

H2SO4 + Sn → SnSO+ H2O + SO2

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + Sn?

H2SO4 + Sn is the Redox reaction because of the oxidation-reduction reaction. It happens because Sn is a reducing agent and H2SO4 is an oxidising agent. 

H2SO4(aq) + Sn(s) → SnSO4(aq)  + H2O(l) + SO2(g)

How to balance H2SO4 + Sn?

Follow these steps to balance H2SO4 + Sn:

  • Count the atoms of the reactants and products to identify them.
  • First, total the atoms of each kind on the reactant and product sides.
  • The elements 2H, 1S, 4O, and 1Sn are present on the reactant side. There are atoms of 1Sn, 2S, 8O, and 2H on the product side.
  • Write unbalanced equation: H2SO4 + Sn → SnSO+ H2O + SO2
  • Matching reactants and products atomically: The atoms or molecules in  H2SO4 + Sn are balanced or organised by multiplying 2 by H2SO4 and 2 by H2O. 
  • 2H2SO4 + Sn = SnSO+ 2H2O + SO2
  • Determine the coefficient: All of the coefficients and variables are calculated using the Gauss elimination method as the 2:1::1:2:1 coefficient is the outcome.
  • Balanced chemical equation:
  • 2H2SO4 + Sn → SnSO+ 2H2O + SO2

H2SO4 + Sn titration

A titration between H2SO4 and Sn can be carried out in a concentrated medium of acid to determine the solubility curve of SnSO4 in the HgSO4 solution. Tin can be determined by using the iodometric method.

Apparatus Required

White paper, Volumetric and Erlenmeyer flasks, Burette(50 mL), Beaker, Pipette, glass rod, funnel and a Burette stand are all required.

Indicator

The Diphenylamine indicator is used during the titration between H2SO4 and Stanaous sulphate solution. 

Procedure

  • Any stannic tin should be reduced by dissolving 0.2g of alloy in concentrated H2SO4.
  • Utilizing the proper chemicals and a minimal amount of chemicals, the equipment must be cleaned and rinsed properly.
  • Enter a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a pipetted aliquot of sulfuric acid solution.
  • To a dilution of around 100 mL, add distilled water.
  • After fully combining, the reaction mixture receives the diphenylamine indicator.
  • To determine reliable readings, the method should be followed three times.
  • Using the formula N1V1=N2V2, the required amount can be determined.

H2SO4 + Sn net ionic equation

H2SO4 + Sn reaction has the following net ionic equation,

2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + Sn(s) → Sn2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + SO2(g)

2H+(aq) + Sn(s) → Sn2+(aq)+ SO2(g) 

H2SO4 + Sn conjugate pairs

H2SO4 + Sn reaction produced the following conjugate pairs:

  • H2SO4 is a strong acid and its conjugate base pair(HSO4) and Conjugate acid pair(H3O+).
  • Sn is a soft metal, therefore no conjugate pairs are present.

H2SO4 and Sn intermolecular forces

H2SO4 + Sn reaction has the following intermolecular force,

H2SO4 is having van der Waals forces, Hydrogen bonds, and Dipole-dipole interactions because it is an asymmetrical molecule with a permanent dipole. 

H2SO4 + Sn reaction enthalpy

H2SO4 + Sn reaction has a typical reaction enthalpy of -948.27kJ/mol,

  • ΔH⁰f(reaction) = ΣΔH⁰f(products) – ΣΔH⁰f(reactants)= -ve
  • 2H2SO4(aq) + Sn(s) → SnSO4(aq)  + 2H2O(l) + SO2(g)
  • Enthalpy change = [1*(-100 ) + 1*(-285.82) + 1*(-296.8 )] – [2*(- 814.4) + 1*(-2.09 )] =-948.27 kJ/mol.

Is H2SO4 + Sn a buffer solution?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is not a buffer solution, even though H2SO4 is a strong acid, in the buffer solution weak acids and weak bases are present. A buffer solution is not made using a strong acid like H2SO4.

Is H2SO4 + Sn a complete reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is a complete reaction. Because the completion of the reaction is due to the formation of stable products like Sn(SO4)2, H2O, and SO2.

Is H2SO4 + Sn an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is an exothermic reaction because heat is produced when a metal combines with acid, which is an exothermic reaction. The negative value of enthalpy also indicates the exothermic process of the reaction.

Is H2SO4 + Sn a redox reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is a redox reaction,

  • Sn is oxidising from a 0 to a +2, and +4 oxidation state, which is a redox reaction.
  • H2SO4 is reduced to H2O after being oxidised to SO42-.
  • Tin(Sn) will be oxidised by sulphuric acid(H2SO4) since it is a highly strong oxidising agent.
  • Sn → Sn2+ + 2e

Is H2SO4 + Sn a precipitation reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is not a precipitation reaction because there is no formation of any precipitate.

Is H2SO4 + Sn reversible or irreversible reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is irreversible because compounds including Sn(SO4)2, H2O, and SO2 are produced throughout the reaction. SO2 gas was emitted during the reaction and could not be converted back into H2SO4.

Is H2SO4 + Sn displacement reaction?

The H2SO4 + Sn reaction is a single displacement reaction because Sn is metal and replaces SO42- and makes a water molecule.

h2so4 + sn
Displacement reaction

Conclusion

H2SO4 + Sn have finished their reaction, through a single displacement reaction. It results in the production of Sn(SO4), H2O, and SO2 and metal sulphates are miscible in water. The H2SO4 reaction with tin is uncommon in that sulphur dioxide gas is produced instead of hydrogen gas.