5 Facts on H2SO4 + CuS: What, How To Balance & FAQs

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Copper sulfide (CuS) is a dark-colored solid insoluble in sulphuric acid (H2SO4). Let us see the fate of the reaction between CuS and H2SO4.

CuS is a metal sulfide, and sulphuric acid is a strong acid. Since CuS is insoluble in sulphuric acid, the former cannot react with sulphuric acid.

In this article, we will learn more details about the possibility of a reaction between CuS and H2SO4.

What is the product of H2SO4 and CuS

  • There is no product formation between sulphuric acid and copper(II) sulphide.
  • Theoretically, we can assume a double displacement reaction between CuS and H2SO4 to afford CuSO4 and H2S.
  • But CuS is a solid which is insoluble in H2SO4.
  • The net result is that there will be no reaction between them.
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The above forward reaction is not feasible
  • However, the reverse reaction is possible, where hydrogen sulphide gas is passed through a blue-coloured solution of copper sulphate to afford a black precipitate of copper sulphide along with the formation of sulphuric acid.
  • This reverse reaction is a double displacement reaction but not a redox reaction.
  • In this reverse reaction, none of the reactants undergo oxidation or reduction; rather, there is an exchange of ions between CuSO4 and H2S.
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Feasible reaction

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + CuS

There is no reaction between sulphuric acid and copper(II) sulphide. This happens because CuS is insoluble in H2SO4 .

How to balance H2SO4 + CuS

Since there is no reaction between H2SO4 and CuS, there is no question of balancing the equation.

H2SO4 + CuS titration 

A titration cannot be performed between CuS and H2SO4 as their chemical reaction is unknown.

Is H2SO4 + CuS a complete reaction

H2SO4 + CuS cannot be a complete reaction because both of them do not react with each other.

Is H2SO4 + CuS an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H2SO4 + CuS cannot be an exothermic or endothermic reaction because no reaction occurs between them.

Conclusion

Sulphuric acid and copper (II) sulphide do not react with each because CuS is insoluble in H2SO4. However, in reverse mode, when hydrogen sulphide gas is passed through copper sulphate solution, copper sulphide is precipitated along with the formation of sulphuric acid.