15 Facts on H2SO4 + Al2(CO3)3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

H₂SO₄ is a strong acid while Al2(CO3)3 is a salt. Let us discuss the reaction between them in detail in this article.

H₂SO₄ is the chemical formula of sulfuric acid. It is a strong and colourless mineral acid. It dissociates completely in water. Al₂(CO₃)₃ is the chemical formula of Aluminium Carbonate. It is a basic salt. It is white powder with a melting point of 58 ^οC. The IUPAC name of Al₂(CO₃)₃ is Dialuminium tricarbonate.

Let us explore how to balance and other facts related to the reaction between Sulfuric acid and Aluminium Carbonate in this article.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃?

H₂SO₄ reacts with Al₂(CO₃)₃ to form the product Aluminium sulphate [Al₂(SO4)₃], carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) so the chemical equation for the above reaction is –

3H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃?

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is an acid-base or a neutralization reaction.

3H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + 3H₂CO₃

How to balance H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃?

To balance the reaction between H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ , the following steps needs to be followed.

• Write the skeletal chemical equation.

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + H₂O + CO₂

• Note the number of moles of each element on the reactant and the product side.

• Balance the number of moles of elements on reactant and the product side.

Start with the least balanced element. Multiply H₂SO₄ by 3 on the reactant side to balance sulfur. Multiply CO₂ by 3 to balance carbon on the product side. Multiply H₂O by 3 to balance the number of moles of oxygen and hydrogen

• The balanced chemical equation is as follows –

3H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ titration

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is a type of acid-base titration. The end point of titration is the point at which there is a change in the colour of the indicator.

Apparatus used:

Burette, burette stand, conical flask, pipette, beaker, funnel

Indicator

Indicator used is methyl orange.

Procedure:

• Fill the burette with 25ml standardized solution of Al₂(CO₃)₃ and note the initial reading.
• Take known concentration of H₂SO₄ in the burette.
• Take 10 ml of Al₂(CO₃)₃ solution in a conical flask concentration is not known.  Add 2-3 drops of methyl orange to its solution.
• Start titrating by adding dropwise H₂SO₄ to Al₂(CO₃)₃ solution
• The point at which the colour of methyl orange changes to yellow is the end point of titration.
• Repeat the steps to get the concordant readings.
• Initially the solution is yellow as the pH is high. But as acid is added the pH decreases and the colour changes to red. That is the end point of titration.

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃is as follows –

6H⁺ (aq) + Al₂(CO₃)₃ (s) –> 2Al³⁺ (aq) + 3H₂O (l) + 3CO₂ (g)

Following are the steps to be followed to write the net ionic equation –

• Write the complete equation

• 3H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O

• Write the chemical state of each compound

• 3H₂SO₄ (aq) + Al₂(CO₃)₃ (s) –> Al₂(SO4)₃ (aq) + 3CO₂ (g) + 3H₂O (l)

• Strong electrolytes will dissociate completely in aqueous solution

• 6H⁺ (aq) + 3SO₄^2- + Al₂(CO₃)₃ (s) –> 2Al³⁺ (aq) + 3SO₄^2- +3H₂O (l) + 3CO₂ (g)

• To obtain the net ionic equation cancel the spectator ions

• 6H⁺ (aq) + Al₂(CO₃)₃ (s) –> 2Al³⁺ (aq) + 3H₂O (l) + 3CO₂ (g)

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs of H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ are as given below.

• The conjugate base of H₂SO₄ is SO₄^2-.
• The conjugate acid of Al₂(CO₃)₃ is H₂CO₃.

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ intermolecular forces

The intermolecular forces present in H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ are as given below.

• In Al₂(CO₃)₃, electrostatic force of attraction is found.
• In H₂SO₄, hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waal’s dispersion forces are found.
• In Al₂(SO4)₃, electrostatic force attraction is present.
• In water, hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions are present.
• Between CO₂ molecules, London forces of attraction are present.

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ reaction enthalpy

The enthalpy of the reaction H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ can be found out as below.

3H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ –> Al₂(SO4)₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O

∆H_f(reaction) = ∑H_f(product) – ∑H_f(reactant)

                  ={-3440 + 3*(-393.5) + 3*(-285.83)} – {3*(-854.4) + (-579)}

                   = -5,477.99 + 3,142.2

                    = -2,335.79 kJ/mol

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ a buffer solution?

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ is not a buffer solution because it contains a strong acid H₂SO₄ while buffer solution is a solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base or weak base and its conjugate acid.

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ a complete reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is a complete reaction as the reaction leads to the formation of stable product which do not breakdown further.

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is an exothermic reaction as the enthalpy of the reaction is -2,335.79 kJ/mol which means heat is liberated in the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ a redox reaction?

H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ is not a redox reaction because the oxidation state of each element is same on the reactant and the product side.

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ a precipitation reaction?

The reaction H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is not a precipitation reaction as the reaction between them does not lead to the formation of any solid product.

What Are Some Common Uses of Phosphorus Triiodide?

Phosphorus triiodide applications cover a variety of fields including organic synthesis, manufacturing pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing organic iodides. Its ability to convert alcohols to alkyl iodides makes it a valuable reagent. Additionally, it is used in the production of chemicals like flame retardants and catalysts, making it an important compound in various industries.

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ reversible or irreversible reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is an irreversible reaction because there is a formation of gas (CO₂) increases the entropy of the reaction so making the reaction irreversible. 

Is H₂SO₄ and Al₂(CO₃)₃ displacement reaction?

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is a double displacement reaction. There is an exchange of ions between the reacting species.

Conclusion

H₂SO₄ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ is an acid-base reaction. It is an irreversible reaction. It is an exothermic reaction with heat of enthalpy as  -2335.79 kJ/mol.

Sonali Jham

Hi…I am Sonali Jham. I have done my Post-Graduation in Chemistry and also completed B. Ed. I am a Teacher and a Dietician by profession.
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