Chapter 11, Problem 66A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether sulfuric acid can be stored next to sodium hydroxide or not needs to be explained. A balanced chemical equation for the reaction that is possible needs to be written.

Concept Introduction:

In a chemical reaction, reactants react with each other to give products. An acid-base reaction is also a type of chemical reaction in which acid reacts with a base to give salt and water as products.

Answer to Problem 66A

Sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide should not be stored next to each other. Here, sulphuric acid is an acid, and sodium hydroxide is a base thus, a neutralization reaction can take place.

Explanation of Solution

Sulphuric acid is a strong acid with having chemical formula ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}$ and sodium hydroxide is a strong base having chemical formula $\text{NaOH}$ . They both react together to form salt and water and the reaction is highly exothermic. The reaction is as follows:

  $\text{HCl + NaOH}\to {\text{NaCl + H}}_2\text{O}$

Due to a highly exothermic reaction, they should not be stored next to each other.