Why is:

(a) Concentrated sulphuric acid kept in airtight bottles?

(b) H2SO4 is not a drying agent for H2S?

(c) Sulphuric acid is used in the preparation of HCl and HNO3? Give the equation in both cases.

Answers:

(a) Concentrated sulphuric acid is kept in an airtight bottle because of its hygroscopic nature.

(b) H2SO4 is not a drying agent for H2S as it reacts and forms Sulphur.

Reaction Involved: H2SO4+ H2S → H2O + S2O + S

(c) Sulphuric acid is used in the preparation of HCl and HNO3 as it is a non-volatile substance

Reaction Involved: NaNO3+ H2SO4 → NaHSO4 + HNO3