Aluminum (Al) is the 12th most commonly occurring element on the Earth. Let us see its reaction with H2SO4.
Aluminum (Al) is a chemical element of group 13 of the periodic table with atomic number 13 and atomic mass 27amu. Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4) is a strong mineral acid, highly corrosive, with a molecular mass of 98.07 g/mol.
In this article, let us discuss the reaction between H2SO4 + Al and some interesting facts about the reaction.
What is the product of H2SO4 and Al?
Al reacts with H2SO4 gives Aluminium Sulphate(Al2(SO4)3) and Hydrogen Gas(H2).
Al + H2SO4 Al2(SO4)3 + H2 ↑
What type of reaction is H2SO4 + Al?
The reaction between H2SO4 and Al is a single displacement reaction.
How to balance H2SO4 + Al?
To balance any chemical equation, given steps has to be followed:
- Assign all compounds in the reaction with a variable (alphabets) to represent the unknown coefficient values.
aAl + bH2SO4 = cAl2(SO4)3 + dH2 - Create an equation table for all the elements on both sides of the reaction and represent them with assigned variables.
| Element | Reaction side | Product side |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 1a+0b | 2c+0d |
| Hydrogen | 0a+2b | 0c+2d |
| Sulfur | 0a+1b | 3c+0d |
| oxygen | 0a+4b | 12c+0d |
- Simplify to get the least integer value.
a = 2(Al), b = 3(H2SO4), c = 1(Al2(SO4)3), d = 3 (H2) - Substitute the coefficients in the equation,
2Al + 3H2SO4 = Al2(SO4)3 + 3H2 - Verify the results, using equating the number of elements on both sides of the equation
| Element | Reaction side | Product side |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 2 | 2 |
| Hydrogen | 6 | 6 |
| Sulfur | 3 | 3 |
| Oxygen | 12 | 12 |
H2SO4 + Al net ionic equation
The net ionic equation of the reaction between Al and H2SO4 is
2Al(0) + 3H2(+1)SO4(-2) –> Al2(+3)(SO4(-2))3 + 3H2(0)
H2SO4 and Al intermolecular forces
The intermolecular forces acting for the molecules of the reaction between Al + H2SO4 are given below:
| Molecules | Acting Forces |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Electrostatic interactions. |
| Sulphuric Acid | Dipole-Dipole Interaction, van der Waals dispersion force, Hydrogen Bonding. |
| Aluminum Sulphate | Dipole-Dipole Interaction, van der Waals dispersion force. |
| Hydrogen | Weak London dispersion force. |
H2SO4 + Al reaction enthalpy
The reaction enthalpy of Al and H2SO4 is -1804 kJmol-1.
Is H2SO4 + Al a complete reaction?
The reaction between H2SO4 and Al is a complete reaction, which yields Aluminium sulfate (Al2(SO4)2) and Hydrogen gas (H2(g)).
Is H2SO4 + Al an exothermic or endothermic reaction
The reaction between H2SO4 and Al is highly exothermic and the formation of Aluminium Sulphate (Al2(SO4)2) exits a high quantity of heat.
Is H2SO4 + Al a redox reaction?
The reaction between H2SO4 and Al is a redox reaction.
Is H2SO4 + Al reversible or irreversible reaction?
The reaction between Al and H2SO4 is an irreversible reaction.
Is H2SO4 + Al displacement reaction?
H2SO4 + Al is a single displacement reaction where Al replaces Hydrogen on the product side.
Conclusion
Al reacts with H2SO4 to produce Aluminium sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) and Hydrogen gas(H2), where H2 is used as a green fuel, Aluminium sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) is used as a bactericide, and a water purification and coagulative agent in wastewater treatment.
currently doing PhD in Analytical Chemistry at University of Madras, Completed my master’s in Physical chemistry from University of Madras, experienced in handling Analytical Instruments, and synthetic setups. strong suite on Physical-Analytical chemistry.