Sulphuric acid

Sulphuric acid (American spelling: sulfuric acid), also known as oil of vitriol, is a strong and highly corrosive diprotic acid. It is a pungent-ethereal, colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid which is soluble in water at all concentrations.

Chemical properties

Sulphuric acid has many properties which make it excellent for a variety of applications. It is a strong acid, meaning it readily donates protons in a solution. It is also a strong oxidizing agent, capable of causing substances to lose electrons.

Production

Sulphuric acid is produced from sulphur, oxygen and water via the contact process. In the first step, sulphur is burned to produce sulphur dioxide. This is then oxidised to sulphur trioxide using oxygen in the presence of a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst. Finally, the sulphur trioxide is treated with water to produce sulphuric acid.

Uses

Sulphuric acid has a wide range of applications including in domestic acidic drain cleaners, as an electrolyte in lead-acid batteries and in various cleaning agents. It is also used as a laboratory reagent.

Safety

Due to its corrosive nature, sulphuric acid must be handled with appropriate safety precautions. It is capable of causing severe damage upon contact with the skin or eyes and can be fatal if ingested or inhaled.

See also

• Acid
• Corrosion
• Chemical burn
• Chemical reaction

References

Sulphuric acid Resources
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