15 Facts on H2SO4 + Fe2S3: What, How to Balance & FAQs

H₂SO₄ (Sulphuric acid) is the strong acid and Fe₂S₃(Ferric sulphide) is an unstable artificial material. Let us know  some facts  about the H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃

Sulphuric acid is also known as oil of vitriol. It is colorless, odorless viscous liquid. Ferric sulphide composed with the elements Sulphur & Iron, it is also known as Iron(III) sulphide. It is solid, black powder.

In this article we will discuss about the reaction between Sulphuric acid and Ferric sulphide, balancing of equation, titration & ionic equation of the reaction.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ & Fe₂S₃

Ferric sulphate and Hydrogen sulphide are formed when Sulphuric acid reacts with Ferric sulphide.

3H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂S

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is a displacement reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃

The reaction is balanced using following steps

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂S

• The number of atoms present on both sides is counted, which should be the same.

Reactant Side	Product Side
2-Hydrogen atom	2-Hydrogen atom
4-Oxygen atom	12-Oxygen atom
4-Sulphur atom	4-Sulphur atom
2-Iron atom	2-Iron atom

• The number of Oxygen atoms of both the sides of the reaction balance by adding coefficient 3 to the Sulphuric acid molecule at the reactant side.
• 3H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂S
• The number of Hydrogen atoms of both sides of the reaction balance by adding coefficient 3 to the Hydrogen sulphide molecule at product side.
• 3H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂S
• So the balanced chemical reaction is
• 3H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂S

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ Titration

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ do not undergo titration because there is no equivalence point.

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation

3H₂⁺(aq) + Fe2S₃ (s) = 2Fe³⁺ (aq) + 3H₂S (g)

The net ionic equation is derived using the steps mentioned below.

• The balanced equation with phases for H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃

• 3H₂SO₄ (aq) + Fe₂S₃ (s) = Fe₂(SO₄)₃ (aq) + 3H₂S (g)

• Then the equation written in splitting of compounds

• 3H₂⁺(aq) + 3SO₄^2- (aq) + Fe₂S₃ (s) = 2Fe³⁺ (aq) + 3SO₄^2- (aq) + 3H₂S (g)

• The net ionic equation is as follows by removing the spectator ions (ions those are same on reactant & product sides)

• 3H₂⁺(aq) + Fe2S₃ (s) = 2Fe³⁺ (aq) + 3H₂S (g)

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ conjugate pairs

• The conjugate base of H₂SO₄ is SO₄^2-
• The conjugate base of Fe²S³ is S₃^2-

H₂SO₄ & Fe₂S₃ Intermolecular forces

• Hydogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction and Van der Waals dispersion are the intermolecular forces in H₂SO₄
• Ferric sulphide is covalently bonded to each other

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is -103.33 KJ/mol.

Compound	Moles	Enthalpy of formation, ΔH0f (KJ/mol)
H2SO4	3	-814
Fe2S3	1	-101.67
Fe2(SO4)3	1	-2585.2
H2S	3	-20.6

• The standard enthalpy of a reaction is calculated using the following formula-
• ΔH⁰_{f (reaction)} = ΣΔH⁰_{f (product)} – ΣΔH⁰_{f (reactants)}
• Thus, Enthalpy change = -103.33 KJ/mol

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a buffer solution

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ reaction will not form a buffer solution because Sulphuric acid is a strong acid and there can only be present a weak acid or base in buffer solution.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is a complete reaction as products like Ferric sulphate and Hydrogen sulphide are formed.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is an exothermic reaction because it releases heat to the surrounding during reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a redox reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is not a redox reaction because there is no change in oxidation state of atoms of reactant and product side involved during the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a precipitation reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ reaction is not a precipitation reaction because no precipitates are formed during the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is an irreversible reaction because the product formed do not react to give back reactants under the same condition.

Is H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ a displacement reaction

H₂SO₄ + Fe₂S₃ is a double displacement reaction, in which sulphate ion is displaced from H₂SO₄ molecule and sulphur ion from Fe₂S₃ molecule to form Ferric sulphate and hydrogen sulphide.

3H₂⁺+ 3SO₄^2- + Fe₂³⁺+ S₃^2- = Fe₂ (SO₄)₃ + 3H₂S

Conclusion

Sulphuric acid reacts with Ferric sulphide and gives Ferric sulphate and Hydrogen sulphide. It is a double displacement reaction and no oxidation or reduction occurs during the reaction.