Equivalent Weight of H2SO4

To determine the equivalent weight of H2SO4 in the given equation H2SO4 + NaOH = NaHSO4 + H2O, we need to understand the concept of equivalent weight and how it relates to the balanced chemical equation.

1. Understanding Equivalent Weight:
Equivalent weight is the amount of a substance that can donate or accept one mole of electrons or react with one mole of hydrogen ions (H+). It is calculated by dividing the molecular weight of the substance by the number of equivalents.

2. Balanced Chemical Equation:
The given equation shows the reaction between sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4) and water (H2O).

3. Stoichiometry of the Reaction:
From the balanced equation, we can see that one mole of H2SO4 reacts with two moles of NaOH to produce one mole of NaHSO4 and one mole of H2O. This implies that the molar ratio between H2SO4 and NaOH is 1:2.

4. Calculation of Equivalent Weight:
To find the equivalent weight of H2SO4, we need to determine the number of equivalents of H2SO4 reacting with one equivalent of NaOH.

Since the molar ratio between H2SO4 and NaOH is 1:2, it means that one equivalent of H2SO4 reacts with two equivalents of NaOH. Therefore, the equivalent weight of H2SO4 is half of its molar weight.

5. Molecular Weight of H2SO4:
The molecular weight of H2SO4 can be calculated by adding the atomic weights of its constituent elements:
H (hydrogen) = 1
S (sulfur) = 32
O (oxygen) = 16 (there are four oxygen atoms in H2SO4)

Molecular weight of H2SO4 = (2 * 1) + 32 + (4 * 16) = 98 g/mol

6. Calculation of Equivalent Weight:
Equivalent weight of H2SO4 = Molecular weight of H2SO4 / Number of equivalents

Since one mole of H2SO4 reacts with two moles of NaOH, the number of equivalents of H2SO4 is half of the number of moles:
Number of equivalents = 1/2

Therefore, the equivalent weight of H2SO4 = 98 g/mol / (1/2) = 196 g/equivalent

Conclusion:
The equivalent weight of H2SO4 in the given reaction H2SO4 + NaOH = NaHSO4 + H2O is 196 g/equivalent. This means that 196 grams of H2SO4 can react with one equivalent of a substance or donate/accept one mole of electrons.

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