The Chemistry Behind H2SO4 + Be: 15 Facts You Should Know

Beryllium is a strong, lightweight and steel-grey coloured alkaline earth metal. Let us read about some facts about H₂SO₄ and Be reaction in this article.

H₂SO₄ is a miscible liquid and a strong acid. Its concentrated solution is corrosive to metals. Be is a divalent atom that occurs in the form of minerals.

This article will discuss key facts about the H₂SO₄ + Be reaction, like the redox reaction, balanced chemical equation and intermolecular forces.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and Be

Beryllium sulfate (BeSO₄) and hydrogen (H₂) are the products of the H₂SO₄ and Be reaction. The chemical equation for this reaction is:

H₂SO₄ + Be = BeSO₄ + H₂

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + Be

H₂SO₄ and Be reaction is a single displacement reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + Be

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is,

H₂SO₄ + Be = BeSO₄ + H₂

The steps mentioned below must be used to derive the balanced chemical equation:

• Write the general unbalanced equation for the H₂SO₄ +Be reaction.

• H₂SO₄ + Be = BeSO₄ + H₂

• Count the number of atoms present on each side of the chemical equation. The number of atoms is as follows:

Atoms	Number of reactant side	Number on product side
H	2	2
S	1	1
O	4	4
Be	1	1

• The number of atoms on each side is equal, so the equation is already balanced.

• Thus, the balanced chemical equation is,

• H₂SO₄ + Be = BeSO₄ + H₂

H₂SO₄ + Be titration

H₂SO₄ + Be does not represent any titration. H₂SO₄ is a strong acid, but Be is neither an acid nor a base but a metal. Metals cannot be titrated; therefore, titration of H₂SO₄ and Be is not feasible.

H₂SO₄ + Be net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H₂SO₄ + Be is,

2H⁺ (aq.) + Be (s) = Be²⁺ (aq.) + H₂ (g)

To deduce the net ionic equation of H₂SO₄ + Be, the following steps should be used:

• Write the balanced chemical equation indicating the chemical state (s, l, g or aq.) of each compound.

• H₂SO₄ (aq.) + Be (s) = BeSO₄ (aq.) + H₂ (g)

• Strong electrolytes will split into their ions in aqueous form.

• 2H⁺ + SO₄^2- + Be = Be²⁺ + SO₄^2- + H₂

• Cancel the spectator ions (SO₄^2-) to obtain the net ionic equation.

• 2H⁺ (aq.) + Be (s) = Be²⁺ (aq.) + H₂ (g)

H₂SO₄ + Be conjugate pairs

H₂SO₄ and Be do not contribute to any conjugate pairs though the conjugate pair of H₂SO₄ is HSO₄^‑.

H₂SO₄ and Be intermolecular forces

The forces of interaction between H₂SO₄ and Be molecules are listed below:

• The intermolecular force of attraction between BeSO₄ is ionic bonds as it is an ionic compound.

• H₂SO₄ contains van der Waals forces, dipole-dipole interaction and London dispersion forces.

• Beryllium contains covalent bonds.

• Dipole-dipole interactions are present in H₂ molecules.

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H₂SO₄ + Be is -287.73 kJ/mol. The standard enthalpy of formation of reactants and products is;

Molecules	Enthalpy of reaction (in kJ/mol)
H2SO4	-909.27
Be	0
BeSO4	-1197
H2	0

Standard enthlpy of reaction (ΔH_f) = Standard enthalpy of formation (products – reactants)

ΔH_f = (-1197 – 0) – (-909.27 – 0)

Thus, ΔH_f = -287.73 kJ/mol.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be a buffer solution

H₂SO₄ and Be is not a buffer solution because H₂SO₄ is a strong acid, but a weak acid must be available so a solution can act as a buffer.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is a complete reaction and no other step can be performed.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is an endothermic reaction because the value of ΔH_f is negative.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be a redox reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is a redox reaction in which beryllium is oxidised and hydrogen is reduced.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be a precipitation reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is not a precipitation reaction as all the products formed are either in the aqueous or gaseous state.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is an irreversible reaction as the chemical path for the reaction has only one way and the H₂ gas evolved cannot be dissolved back.

Is H₂SO₄ + Be displacement reaction

H₂SO₄ + Be reaction is a single displacement reaction in which Be atom displaces the H atom from its acid to form another compound.

Conclusion:

This article concludes that metal and acid react to form salt and hydrogen gas evolved. The hydrogen gas evolved can be tested using the burning candle test. The reaction between H₂SO_4­ and Be proceeds with the evolution of heat.