15 Facts on H2SO4 + SrCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

SrCO₃ (strontium carbonate) is an insoluble metal carbonate, and H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid) is a strong inorganic acid. Let us study how they react in detail.

H₂SO₄ is highly hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air and is widely used as a dehydrating agent. SrCO₃ is a white odorless solid and is slightly basic in nature. The solubility of SrCO₃ is very low (K_sp = 5.6 X 10^-10) .

In this article, we will discuss the reaction parameters like enthalpy, molecular forces, and reaction type for the reaction of H₂SO₄ and SrCO₃.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and SrCO₃

SrSO₄ (strontium sulfate), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), and water molecules are produced in the reaction H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃.

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ → SrSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is a displacement and neutralization reaction as H₂SO₄ as an acid neutralizes the base SrCO₃ to form salt SrSO₄. This reaction occurs in two steps,

• The first step of the reaction is a displacement reaction.
• H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ = SrSO₄ + H₂CO₃
• The second step is neutralization type where decomposition of carbonic acid takes place.
• H₂CO₃ = CO₂ + H₂O
• Thus overall reaction is
• H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ → SrSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

How to balance H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is balanced using the following steps-

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ → SrSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

• The elements involved are counted on both sides of the reactants and the products in the first step.

• From, the table it is observed that the elements are balanced at either side of the equation.
• Thus the balanced equation is
• H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ → SrSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ titration

For insoluble salts like SrCO₃ back titration is performed.

Apparatus

Measuring cylinder, volumetric flask, funnel, burette, beaker, conical flask, pipette

Indicator

The phenolphthalein indicator is used. The color of phenolphthalein in acidic and basic medium respectively are,

H₂In(colorless) → In^2- (pink)

Procedure

• A known amount of SrCO₃ is taken in a flask. To this, H₂SO₄ is added and mixed thoroughly and then the solution is transferred to a volumetric flask and is filled up to the mark with the help of distilled water.
• 20 ml of the prepared solution is taken in a conical flask through a pipette and 3-4 drops of the indicator are added to it.
• The standard NaOH solution is taken in the burette and is added dropwise to the resultant solution.
• The color change is observed and the endpoint is attained when the solution turns light pink in color due to slight excess of NaOH in the solution.
• The concordant readings are taken that are used for the calculation of the concentration of the carbonate using the formula S_1­V₁ = S₂V₂ .

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is

2H⁺(aq)+ SO₄^2-(aq) + SrCO₃(s) → SrSO₄(s) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

The net ionic equation is obtained using the following steps

• In the first step a balanced equation is written.
• H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ → SrSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O
• The physical states (gas, solid, liquid, or aqueous) are indicated for the species involved in the reaction.
• H₂SO₄(aq) + SrCO₃(s) → SrSO₄(s) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)
• Splitting of the strong electrolytes into the ions is shown in the next step. Since SrCO₃ and SrSO₄ are solid and H₂O is a weak electrolyte so will not split.
• 2H⁺(aq)+ SO₄^2-(aq) + SrCO₃(s) → SrSO₄(s) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)
• The common ions are crossed out and thus the net ionic equation is
• 2H⁺(aq)+ SO₄^2-(aq) + SrCO₃(s) → SrSO₄(s) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ conjugate pairs

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ will make a conjugate pair because,

• SO₄^2- will be formed as conjugate base of H₂SO₄ (acid).
• H₂CO₃ is the conjugate acid of the base CO₃^2–.

H₂SO₄ and SrCO₃ intermolecular forces

• Ionic interactions are present in SrCO₃ molecules as the compound is ionic.
• Dispersion forces, hydrogen bonding, and dipole-dipole interactions are found in the molecules of H₂SO₄.

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ reaction enthalpy

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ reaction enthalpy is -99.6 KJ/mol. The enthalpy is calculated using tabulated values and the formula as follows.

• ∆H_f^°(reaction) = ∆H_f^°(products) – ∆H_f^°(reactants)

• = -2132.4 – (-2032.8) KJ/mol

• = -99.6 KJ/mol

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ a buffer solution

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ will not function as a buffer solution as a strong acid (H₂SO₄) is used and the salt (SrSO₄) obtained is insoluble.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is a complete reaction as the reactants are completely consumed in the reaction and the products formed will not react further.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is an exothermic reaction as the heat is liberated during the reaction and the enthalpy is also negative.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ a redox reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ is not a redox reaction as the oxidation states of elements are not changed throughout the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ a precipitation reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO_3­ is a precipitation reaction as the product SrSO₄ is not soluble and precipitate is formed.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO_3­ is an irreversible reaction due to the increase in entropy for the forward reaction attributed to the formation of CO₂ gas and the products obtained will not react to give back the reactants.

Is H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ displacement reaction

H₂SO₄ + SrCO_3­ is a double displacement reaction in the initial step. Since Sr is more reactive, it displaces hydrogen from its salt and forms strontium sulfate and the H⁺ ion combines with CO₃^2- ions to form carbonic acid.

H₂SO₄ + SrCO₃ = SrSO₄ + H₂CO₃

Conclusion

The reaction is exothermic with positive entropy. SrCO_3­ burns with a red flame and is thus used as a colorant in fireworks. The solid form of CO₂ is called dry ice which is used in solidifying oil spills.