Question

Although HCl and H2SO4 have very different properties as pure substances, their aqueous solutions possess many common properties. List some general properties of these solutions, and explain their common behavior in terms of the species present.

Answer 1

Below are some general properties of these (HCl and H2SO4) solutions, and their common behavior in terms of the species present.

Step-by-step explanation:

1) Aqueous solutions of these acids have a sour taste. i.e they can destroy body tissue and materials.

2) Both acids react with active metals and release hydrogen gas, H2.

Recall, in terms of an activity series. Metals above hydrogen in the series undergo displacement reactions with these acids. For example

2Na + 2HCl ------- 2NaCl + H2

and 2Na + H2SO4 ------- Na2SO4 + H2

3) The acids will react with bases to produce salts and water. These are neutralization reaction s and the products are water and an ionic compound called a salt. For example

NaOH + HCl --------- NaCl + H2O

2NaOH + H2SO4 ---------- Na2SO4 + 2H2O