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

H2SO3 (Sulfurous acid ) is a chemical compound and is used as a reagent. NaCl (Sodium Chloride) is an ionic compound. Now let us see how H2SO3 and NaCl reacts with each other.

H2SO3 is present in gaseous phase. It is also an intermediate formed during acid rain from sulphuric dioxide. NaCl is commonly known as table salt and is used in food, preservatives, and condiment. It is also used in de-icing roads during winter

Now in the following article we, will discuss the H2SO3 + NaCl,  their net ionic equations, reaction type, conjugate pairs, redox reaction, etc…  in detail.

What is the product of H2SO3 + NaCl

Sodium Sulphite (Na2SO3)  and Hydrogen chloride (HCl) are the products produced during the reaction between H2SO3 and NaCl.

H2SO3 + NaCl → Na2SO3 + HCl

What type of reaction is H2SO3 + NaCl

The reaction H2SO3 + NaCl is a type of double–displacement (metathesis) reaction.

How to balance H2SO3 + NaCl

The unbalanced equation for the reaction between H2SO3 + NaCl is written as –

H2SO3 + NaCl → Na2SO3 + HCl

To balance the reaction following steps are used-

  • Write each variable for every compound in the reaction.
  • a H2SO3 +b NaCl → c Na2SO3 + HCl
  • Then, create a different equation for each element (H, S, O, Na, Cl) that represents the total number of atoms of products and reactants both.
  • H= 2a + 1d, S = 1a+1c ,O= 3a +3c, Na= 1b+2c, Cl = 1b+1d
  • Now, solve for each variable using the elimination or substitution method, we get-
  • a = 1 (H2SO3), b= 2(NaCl), c= 1(Na2SO3), d= 2(HCl)
  • Substitute for each variable for reactant and product side both by calculating the number of atoms.
ElementsLHSRHS
H22
S11
O33
Na22
Cl22
Total number of atoms on product and reactants side
  • Thus, the balanced equation is-
  • H2SO3 + 2NaCl → Na2SO3 + 2HCl

H2SO3 + NaCl titration

The titration of Sulfurous acid and NaCl will give noticable yield.

Apparatus or materials required

  • Volumetric flask
  • Burette
  • Conical flask
  • Burette stands
  • Beakers

Titre and Titrant

  • Here, titrant is H2SO3 which is the substance that is to be measured.
  • NaCl is titre, its concentration remains unknown.

Indicator

The indicator used in H2SO3 + NaCl is methyl orange.

Procedure

  • Firstly, wash the burette, and then fill it with H2SO3 and make it clamped to the stand.
  • A measured amount of NaCl solution is added to a conical flask.
  • Now add a few drops of an indicator inside the conical flask.
  • As the dropper of the burette is opened the drops of acid will start dropping in the flask and the reaction will start.
  • When a slight color change is an observed stop the burette dropper. This happens when the equivalence point is reached.
  • The equivalence point is when the mole of acid is equal to the mole of the base, this will indicate the end of the reaction.
  • The estimation of the salt is done by the formula- VNaCl SNaCl = VH2SO3 SH2SO3.

H2SO3 + NaCl net ionic equation

The net ionic equation of H2SO3 + NaCl is written from the following balanced reaction-

H2SO3 + 2NaCl → Na2SO3 + 2HCl

Following steps are used to gain the required net ionic equation.

  • First, determine the state or phase of each of the compounds.
  • H2SO3 (aq) + 2NaCl (s)  → Na2SO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq)
  • The net ionic equation for the whole reaction will be formed as follows-
  • 2 H­+(aq) + SO32- (aq) +NaCl(s) = Na2SO3(s) + 2 H­+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)
  • Now eliminate the spectator ions from both sides i,e. H­+.
  • Therefore the equation formed is the net ionic equation for the given reaction
  • SO32- (aq) +NaCl(s) = Na2SO3(s) + 2Cl(aq)

H2SO3 + NaCl conjugate pairs

In the reaction H2SO3 + NaCl the conjugated acid-base pairs are as follows-

  • Conjugate base of H2SO3 = HSO3
  • There is no conjugate acid of H2SO3 because it is a strong acid.
  • NaCl does not have any conjugate acid-base pair because Na+ is not a Bronsted acid or base, whereas Cl is a very weak Bronsted base.

H2SO3 + NaCl intermolecular forces

The reaction between H2SO3 + NaCl has the following intermolecular forces-

H2SO3 + NaCl reaction enthalpy

H2SO3 + NaCl has the reaction enthalpy of -36.9 kJ/mol, where-     

  • Enthalpy of formation of NaCl = -787 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of formation HCl =- 92.3 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of formation H2SO3 = – 655.5 kJ/mol
  • Enthalpy of formation Na2SO= – 1387.1 kJ/mol
  • Total change of enthalpy = ∑ ∆H0f (products) – ∑ ∆H0f (reactant)
  • = (- 1387.1) + (- 92.3)  – (-787) + (- 655.5) kJ/mol
  • = -36.9 kJ/mol

Is H2SO3 + NaCl a buffer solution

H2SO3 + NaCl reaction cannot give a buffer solution. It is because it contains strong acid like H2SO3 whereas, in a buffer solution, a weak acid-base is required.

Is H2SO3 + NaCl a complete reaction

The reaction H2SO3 + NaCl is a complete reaction as the products are formed completely once the equilibrium is reached and no further reaction takes place.

Is H2SO3 + NaCl an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO3 + NaCl reaction is a type of exothermic reaction as the total enthalpy of formation is negative (-36.9 kJ/mol).

Is H2SO3 + NaCl a redox reaction

H2SO3 + NaCl reaction is not a type of redox reaction as no oxidation state of any compound is changed in the entire reaction.

redox reaction
Redox Reaction

Is H2SO3 + NaCl a precipitation reaction

The reaction of H2SO3 + NaCl is a type of precipitation reaction as a solid yellow color precipitate of Na2SO3 is formed as one of the products.

What are the Similarities and Differences Between Balancing H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 and H2SO3 + NaCl?

The similarities and differences between balancing H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 and H2SO3 + NaCl lie in their chemical equations. In both reactions, we encounter a double replacement reaction where the two reactants swap ions to form new compounds. However, the main distinction arises in their products. While H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 produces Ag2SO4 + H2CrO4, H2SO3 + NaCl forms HCl + H2SO4. These reactions can be balanced by applying the appropriate coefficients to ensure the conservation of atoms. h2so4 and ag2cro4: balancing & faqs.

Is H2SO3 + NaCl a reversible or irreversible reaction

H2SO3 + NaCl reaction is an irreversible. Here, the product Na2SO3 formed after equilibrium, precipitates which makes the reaction irreversible.

Is H2SO3 + NaCl displacement reaction

The reaction between H2SO3 and NaCl is a double displacement reaction as hydrogen is replaced by Na from H2SO3  and simultaneously Cl from NaCl is replaced by SO3 to produce the respective products.

double displacment
Double – Displacement reaction

Conclusion

Sulfurous acid has a molecule in the gaseous phase and has a molar mass of 82.07 g/mol. Sodium chloride commonly known as table salt has a ratio of 1:1 of Na and Cl ions. Na2SO3 formed in the reaction is used as an antioxidant and preservative.