15 Facts on H2SO3 + NaHSO3: What, How to Balance & FAQs

Sulfurous acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent burning sulfur odor. Sodium bisulfate is a white crystalline powder. Let us talk about the reaction between H2SO3 + NaHSO3.

H2SO3 is a weak acid having a pKa value of 1.9. It is used as a reducing agent and is formed as an intermediate component during acid rain. NaHSO3 is a white crystalline powder having slight sulfurous odor. It is obtained by serving SO2 with suitable base like NaOH.

Let us now discuss the product, type of reaction, conjugate pairs, intermolecular forces and other characteristics of the reaction in the following part.

What is the product of H2SO3 and NaHSO3?

Sodium bisulphate (NaHSO3) and Sulfurous acid (H2SO3) react together to produce sodium sulphite(Na2SO3) and liberate hydrogen( H2).

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 = Na2SO3+ H2

What type of reaction is H2SO3 + NaHSO3?

The reaction of H2SO3 and NaHSO3 is an example of a redox reaction where reduction of H takes place.

How to balance H2SO3 + NaHSO3?

The reaction H2SO3 + NaHSO3 = Na2SO3 + H2 is not balanced yet. We have to balance the given equation in the following way:

  • The reactants and the products are labeled by a, b, c, and d variables to represent the unknown coefficients.
    aH2SO3 + bNaHSO3 = cNa2SO3 + dH2
  • The same type of elements is rearranged together and then the coefficients are equated.
  • After rearranging by their stoichiometric proportion, we get:
    H=2a=b=2d, S=a=b=c, O=3a=3b=3c, Na=2c
  • Use the Gaussian elimination method to determine the values of the coefficients,
    a=-1 , b=2 ,c=1 , d=1
  • Thus the overall balanced equation is:
    2NaHSO3 + -1H2SO3 = Na2SO3 + H2

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 titration

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 titration is not possible because the product obtained from the reaction makes it impossible to detect the end point of the titration process.

H2SO3 + NaHSOnet ionic equation

The net ionic reaction between H2SO3 and NaHSO3 is,
H++HSO3+Na++ HSO3= Na+ + SO3+ H2

Use the following steps to derive the net ionic equation of H2SO3 + NaHSO3,

  • The full reaction with the states are written:
    H2SO3 (l) + NaHSO3 (s) = Na2SO3 (s) + H2 (g)
  • The atoms are then split into ions.
  • Thus the net ionic equation is:
    H++ HSO3+ Na++ HSO3= Na+ + SO32- + H2

H2SO3 + NaHSOconjugate pairs

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 has the following conjugate pairs

  • The Conjugate base of H2SO3 is HSO3.
  • The Conjugate acid of NaHSO3 is H2SO3 after the deprotonation of base NaHSO3.

H2SO3 and NAHSO3 intermolecular forces

  • A strong electrostatic force of attraction is present between the protons and the sulphite ions in H2SO3 molecule.
  • In case of NaHSO3, there exist covalent, coordinated and hydrogen forces.

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 reaction enthalpy

H2SO3 + NAHSO3 reaction enthalpy is 2140.60 KJ/mol.

The formula for enthalpy of calculation is: Enthalpy of Product – Enthalpy of Reactant

MoleculeEnthalpy(KJ/MOL)
H2SO352.89
NAHSO3-947.68
Na2SO3298.15
H20
Table for enthalpy

Is H2SO3 + NaHSO3 a buffer solution?

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 will form a buffer solution because H2SO3 is a weak acid.

Is H2SO3 + NaHSO3 a complete reaction?

H2SO3 + NAHSO3 is a complete reaction because white crystalline powder of Na2SO3 is obtained and Hydrogen gas is liberated.

Is H2SO3 + NAHSO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

H2SO3 + NAHSO3 is an endothermic reaction since the reaction has a positive enthalpy value.

Is H2SO3 + NaHSO3 a redox reaction?

H2SO3 + NaHSOis a redox reaction. Here reduction of Hydrogen takes place. The oxidation number of H changes from +1 to 0. Also NaHSO3 acts as a reducing agent here.

Is H2SO3 + NaHSO3 a precipitation reaction?

H2SO3 + NaHSO3 is not a precipitation reaction because Na2SO3 is soluble in aqueous solution.

Is H2SO3 + NaHSO3 reversible or irreversible reaction?

The reaction between H2SO3 + NaHSO3 is an irreversible reaction because the product i.e., Na2SO3 is soluble in water and hence it cannot be reverted back.

Is H2SO3 + NAHSO3 displacement reaction?

H2SO3 + NAHSO3 is an example of displacement reaction where Na displaces H2 in H2SO3.

Conclusion

The reaction between H2SO3 and NAHSOgives us a salt, Na2SO3 and Hydrogen gas. It is used in cosmetic, food, and textile industry.