15 Facts on H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Strontium nitrate [Sr(NO3)2] is an inorganic compound composed of nitrogen, oxygen and strontium. Let us look at how Sr(NO3)2 reacts with H2SO4 in this article.

H2SO4 reacts with Sr(NO3)2 to form a salt and an acid. H2SO4 is a strong acid and a commonly used dehydrating agent in organic chemistry. Only P2O5 is the strongest dehydrator after H2SO4. Sr(NO3)2 is prepared reacting nitric acid and strontium carbonate. It is used to produce bright red colour in fireworks.

In this article, we will learn some important facts about the reaction between H2SO4 and Sr(NO3)2 like, products formed, type of reaction, redox reaction and intermolecular forces involved.

What is the product of H2SO4 and Sr(NO3)2?

Celestine (SrSO4) and Nitric acid (HNO3) are the products formed when H2SO4 reacts with Sr(NO3)2. The chemical equation for the given reaction is:

Sr(NO3)2 + H2SO4 = HNO3 + SrSO4

What type of reaction is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 is a double displacement reaction or metathesis reaction.

How to balance H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2?

Following step-by-step method should be used to balance a chemical equation:

  • The general chemical equation for H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is
    Sr(NO3)2 + H2SO4 = HNO3 + SrSO4
  • To count the number of atoms present, check if the number of atoms on the reactant side is equal to the product side or not.
  • Here the number of hydrogen is not equal. Therefore, we multiply HNO3 by a coefficient of 2 to get the balanced chemical equation.
    Sr(NO3)2 + H2SO4 = 2HNO3 + SrSO4

H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 titration

Titration of Sr(NO3)2 with H2SO4 is not feasible because Sr(NO3)2 is a white crystalline salt and salts cannot be titrated with an acid.

H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 net ionic equation

Net ionic equation for H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is
Sr2+ (aq.) + SO42- (aq.) = SrSO4 (s)

The steps involved in obtaining the net ionic equation is

  • Write the general balanced equation of the above reaction,
    Sr(NO3)2 + H2SO4 = 2HNO3 + SrSO4
  • Denote the chemical states of each compound available in the reaction,
    Sr(NO3)2 (aq.) + H2SO4 (aq.) = 2HNO3 (aq.) + SrSO4 (s)
  • To split the electrolytes into ions,
    Sr2+ (aq.) + 2NO3(aq.) + 2H+ (aq.) + SO42- (aq.) = 2H+ (aq.) + 2NO3(aq.) + SrSO4(s)
  • Eliminate the ions present on both sides of the reaction to obtain the net equation,
    Sr2+ (aq.) + SO42- (aq.) = SrSO4 (s)

H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 conjugate pairs

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 collectively has no conjugate pair.

  • The conjugate pair of H2SO4 is HSO4 which is its conjugate base.
  • Sr(NO3)2 does not have any conjugate pair.

H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 intermolecular forces

Intermolecular forces between HNO3 molecules are dipole-dipole interaction and London dispersion force.

  • H2SO4 contains hydrogen bonding between their molecules.
  • Ionic bonding is present between SrSO4 molecules as it is an ionic compound.

H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 reaction enthalpy

H2SO4 and Sr(NO3)2 reaction enthalpy is 25.53 kJ/mol. The enthalpy of formation (Hf) for the reactants and products is:

MoleculesReaction enthalpy (in kJ/mol)
H2SO4-909.27
Sr(NO3)2-984.08
SrSO4-1453.1
HNO3-207.36
Reaction enthalpy of compounds

Therefore, ΔfH: (Standard enthalpy of formation of products) – (Standard enthalpy of formation of reactants)

ΔfH: [ -1453.1 – 2*(207.36)] – [-909.27 – 984.08]

ΔfH: 25.53 kJ/mol

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 a buffer solution?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 is not a buffer solution because H2SO4 is a strong acid, but for a buffer solution, there should be a weak acid or base.

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 a complete reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is a complete reaction where products like Celestine and Nitric acid are formed after the completion of reaction.

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is an endothermic reaction because the reaction enthalpy has a slightly positive value.

Screenshot 20221125 213912 1
Endothermic reaction H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 a redox reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is not a redox reaction because the oxidation states of atoms did not change throughout the reaction.

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 a precipitation reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is a precipitation reaction where white crystalline SrSO4 is obtained in a solid phase.

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 reversible or irreversible reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is an irreversible reaction because the precipitates of SrSO4 formed does not dissolve back under normal temperature and pressure condition.

Is H2SO4+ Sr(NO3)2 displacement reaction?

H2SO4 + Sr(NO3)2 reaction is a double displacement reaction where H2 and Sr displace each other from their respective compounds.

Conclusion

In the end, we conclude that Sr(NO3)2 is a salt which when reacts with H2SO4 releases SrSO4 and HNO3. Sulphuric acid is very much used in the making of fertilizers and chemical manufacturing plants. SrSO4 is used as a red colourant for pyrotechnics and ceramics.