15 Facts on H2SO3 + Na: What, How To Balance & FAQs

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A set of products defines the chemical reaction of two compounds or one compound and one element. Let us dive into this reaction products.

Sodium, an alkali metal of atomic number 11 and mass number of 23, is an essential element in humans specially as transmission ions inside the neural membrane for the sodium-potassium pump. In 1807, it was discovered by Humphry Davy.H2SO3 is a pure strong acid of pH 5.1.

This academic piece will delve into certain properties of the reaction between the two compounds like reaction enthalpy and titration process.

What is the product of H2SO3 and Na?

H2SO3 and Na are reacted to form sodium sulphite and water respectively. The reaction occurs as:

  • H2SO3 + Na→ Na2SO3 + H2

What type of reaction is H2SO3 + Na?

The reaction of H2SO3 and Na is a single complete displacement reaction as two new products are obtained.

How to balance H2SO3 and Na?

The steps to equate the above reaction scheme are as follows:

  • H2SO3 + Na→ Na2SO3 + H2
  • As both ways must be equal in atoms, we after checking stoichiometry, multiply Na with 2 to equal with the Na atoms.
  • H2SO3 + 2Na→ Na2SO3 + H2

H2SO3 + Na Titration

Na as a metal cannot be titrated but in any aqueous solution, it can be titrated due to compound synthesis. The steps for this titration are:

Apparatus

  • Graduated burette
  • Conical flask
  • Volumetric flask
  • Burette stand

Titre and Titrant

  • Na solution is used as the titrant, whose concentration is known.
  • H2SO3­ is the titre, whose concentration is to be analysed.

Indicator

Acid-base titration requires a colour-changing indicator like Methyl Orange that turns yellow in basic medium and orange in acidic medium.

Procedure 

  • Samples of Sodium are meticulously dissolved well in water to get the oxide form and added in the washed burette.
  • A dilute solution of Sulphurous acid is accepted in the conical flask of specific volume.
  • A few drops of Methyl Orange are added to the contents of the flask, keeping pH in check.
  • The equivalence point of the titration appears when equal moles of the reactants have reacted, with a significant colour change in the solution.
  • As per the titration, the volume of the sample is calculated and estimated.
  • VH2SO3 SH2SO3 = VNa+solution SNa+solution  
Titra ch
Titration Setup

H2SO3 and Na Net Ionic Equation

H2SO3 + Na gives the following net ionic equation:

  • 2H+(aq) +SO32-(aq) + 2Na → 2Na+(aq) +SO32-(aq) + H2(g)
  • H2SO3 gets dissociated into hydrogen and sulphite ions.
  • Both Na and H­2 do not get dissociated.
  • Na2SO3 gets dissociated into two Sodium ions of +1 oxidation state and sulphite ions of sulphur oxidation of +4.

H2SO3 and Na Conjugate Pairs

H2SO3 and Na reaction has the following conjugate pairs, differing by one proton:

  • The conjugate base of H2SO3 = HSO3–

H2SO3 and Na Intermolecular Forces

H2SO3 and Na reaction has the following intermolecular forces,

  • H2SO3 consists of acidic protons that are involved in hydrogen bonding.
  • Na as an element cannot be called polar but it is ionic when combined with hydroxide due to large electronegativity differences.
  • Na crystallizes in a body-centred structure with significant Van der Waals forces present.
  • Due to one unpaired electron in the outermost shell, the forces formed are weak but the element itself is reactive.

H2SO3 and Na Reaction Enthalpy

H2SO3 and Na reaction enthalpy data is around -434.8 kJ/mol. The enthalpy information is as follows:

  • Enthalpy of Formation of Na = 0 kJ/mol (cannot be for an element)
  • Enthalpy of Formation of H2SO3 = -655.5 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of Formation of Na2SO3 = -1090.3 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of Formation of H2 = 0 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of Reaction = (-1090.3) – (-655.5) kJ/mol

Is H2SO3 and Na a Buffer Solution?

H2SO3 + Nais not a strong buffer solution because a metal can never regulate the pH of a solution. Moreover, a strong acid like sulphurous acid can never play the part of a buffer.

Is H2SO3 and Na a Complete Reaction?

H2SO4 and CH3OH reaction is complete as,once equilibrium is reached, products are completely formed.

Is H2SO3 and Na an Exothermic Reaction?

The H2SO3 and Na reaction is exothermic in nature. H2SO3 and Na release heat and energy due to bond breaking.

Is H2SO3 and Na a Redox Reaction?

H2SO3 and Na reaction is a redox reaction as there is a change in oxidation states in the atoms.

  • Na → Na+ + e
  • Sodium in elementary form gets oxidised from zero to one oxidation state.
  • 2H+ + 2e → H2
  • H2SO3 acts as an oxidising agent, reducing hydrogen ions to hydrogen in zero oxidation state.

Is H2SO3 and Na a Precipitation Reaction?

H2SO3 + Na is not a precipitation reaction as the products rather exist in the aqueous phase.

Is H2SO3 and Na a Reversible Reaction?

H2SO3 and Na reaction is not reversible in nature as the products have been formed at equilibrium and the conditions of the reaction do not affect the outcome.

Is H2SO3 and Na a Displacement Reaction?

H2SO3 and Na reaction is a single displacement reaction as one set of ions gets interchanged on the product side. The sodium metal displaces the hydrogen from the acidic and forms an acidic salt.

Conclusion

Sodium is a soft silvery metal with high solubility in water. It is the seventh most abundant element on the planet and different compounds of Na have huge applications in chemical industries. The reaction of acid and metal must be done with caution as it evolves a lot of heat and energy.