Discover The 15 Incredible Facts On HNO3 + Ag2SO4 Reaction

Silver sulphate (Ag₂SO₄) is an inorganic silver salt, while Nitric acid (HNO₃) is an inorganic mineral oxoacid of nitrogen .Let us know more about their reaction mechanism.

Ag₂SO₄ is a white inorganic solid with low solubility in water. It is a neutral salt with weak oxidizing powers. Fresh HNO₃ is colorless and a powerful oxidizing agent. It is a common reagent in laboratories and used in manufacturing fertilizers.

In this section, let us focus on HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ reaction facts like the products formed, intermolecular forces involved, type of reaction, reaction enthalpy etc.

What is the product of HNO₃ and Ag₂SO₄?

Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) are formed when Ag₂SO₄ reacts with concentrated HNO₃ . 

2HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄  —-> 2AgNO₃ + H₂SO₄

What type of reaction is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄?

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is a type of double decomposition reaction and acid formation reaction, as the cations and anions of the reactants exchange places to form silver nitrate salt and sulphuric acid.

How to balance HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄?

The general chemical reaction of HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ can be represented as –

Ag₂SO₄ + HNO₃ = AgNO₃ + H₂SO₄

Given below are the steps to balance the above equation –

• Determine the numbers of each element involved in the reaction, in both the reactant and product side.

Elements	Reactant side	Product side
H	1	2
N	1	1
O	7	7
S	1	1
Ag	2	1

• We find that the number of moles of hydrogen, nitrogen and silver atoms in the reactant and product side are unequal.
• Add 2 moles of HNO₃ in the reactant side and 2 moles of AgNO₃ in the product side to balance the number of H, N and Ag atoms.
• Thus, the overall balanced chemical reaction is as follows –
• Ag₂SO₄ + 2HNO₃ —-> 2AgNO₃ + H₂SO₄

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄  titration

We cannot titrate HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄  as Ag₂SO₄ is insoluble in aqueous solution. However, by using the solubility product (K_sp) constant of Ag₂SO₄ and knowing the concentration at which the sulphate ions would precipitate out of the solution, we can determine the concentration of Ag²⁺ ions.

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄  net ionic equation

The net ionic equation between HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is represented as –

Ag₂SO₄ (s) = 2Ag⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq)

 The following steps are the steps to arrive at the net ionic equation:

• Write the balanced undissociated chemical equation and the physical states (s, l, aq, g) of each mole involved in the reaction.
• 2HNO₃ (aq) + Ag₂SO₄ (s) = 2AgNO₃ (aq) + H₂SO₄ (aq)
• Aqueous forms of strong acids, bases, and salts dissociate into ions, whereas solid, liquid and gaseous substances do not dissociate.
• Now, represent the complete ionic equation of HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ as –
• Ag₂SO₄ (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + 2NO₃^– (aq) = 2Ag⁺(aq) + 2NO₃^–(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq)
• Remove the spectator ions (H ⁺ and NO₃^–), which appear on both sides of the equation from the complete ionic equation, to get the net ionic equation as –
• Ag₂SO₄ (s) = 2Ag⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq)

HNO₃+ Ag₂SO₄ conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs of HNO₃ and Ag₂SO₄ are as follows –

• The conjugate base of the acid HNO₃ is NO₃^–.
• Conjugate pair of SO₄^2- = HSO₄^–
• Conjugate pair of HSO₄^– = H₂SO₄

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ intermolecular forces

The intermolecular forces present in HNO₃ and Ag₂SO₄ are given below –

• Electrostatic forces, dipole-dipole interactions, covalent interactions and Van der Waal’s forces exist in HNO₃. Electrostatic forces are strong between the protons and nitrate ions.
• Electrostatic force, Coulombic force and metallic bonding are the intermolecular forces present in Ag₂SO₄.

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ reaction enthalpy

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ reaction enthalpy is 114.36 KJ/mol. The change in enthalpy is positive. The enthalpy values are listed below:

Reactants and Products	Enthalpy in KJ/mol
HNO3	-207.36
Ag2SO4	-717.20
AgNO3	-101.78
H2SO4	-814

• ∆H_f^°(reaction) = ∆H_f^°(products) – ∆H_f^°(reactants)

= -1017.56– (-1131.92)

= 114.36 KJ/mol

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ a buffer solution?

The combination of HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ will not function as a buffer solution due to the presence of a strong acid (HNO₃).

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ a complete reaction?

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is a complete reaction, as two major products are formed – a strong electrolyte and a strong acid.

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ an endothermic reaction?

The reaction HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is endothermic in nature in terms of thermodynamics first law. Also, the reaction enthalpy is positive as it absorbs heat from surroundings.

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ a redox reaction?

The reaction between HNO₃ and Ag₂SO₄ is not a redox reaction, as there is no change in the oxidation state of any element involved in the reaction.

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ a precipitation reaction?

The reaction HNO₃ and Ag₂SO₄ is not a precipitation reaction as both the products formed (H₂SO₄ and AgNO₃) are highly water soluble.

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ an irreversible reaction?

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is an irreversible reaction because of the shift in the equilibrium of the reaction in the forward direction due to the formation of a strong acid.

Is HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ a displacement reaction?

The reaction between HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is an example of a double displacement reaction, as in the reaction H⁺ is displaced by Ag from HNO₃ and Ag⁺ is displaced from Ag₂SO₄ by H⁺.                           

Conclusion

HNO₃ + Ag₂SO₄ is an example of an acid formation (H₂SO₄) with a positive entropy. AgNO₃ formed in this reaction has antiseptic properties, while H₂SO₄ formed is a corrosive acid used in petroleum refining and ore processing.