Question

Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is used to neutralize the sulfuric acid spill. How many kilograms of sodium carbonate must be added to neutralize 5.04×103 kg of sulfuric acid solution?

Answer 1

5.451 X 10³ kg of sodium carbonate must be added to neutralize 5.04×103 kg of sulfuric acid solution.

Explanation:

• Sodium carbonate is used to neutralized sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄. Sodium carbonate is the salt of a strong base (NaOH) and weak acid (H₂CO₃). The balanced chemical reaction for neutralization is as follows:

                        Na₂CO₃ + H₂SO₄ ----> Na₂SO₄ + H₂CO₃

• From a balanced chemical equation, it is clear that one mole of Na₂CO₃ is required to neutralize one mole of  H₂SO₄.

• Molar mass of Na₂CO₃= 106 g/mol = 0.106 kg/mol and                                Molar mass of H₂SO₄= 98 g/mol = 0.098 kg/mol.

• To neutralize 0.098 kg of H₂SO₄ amount of Na₂CO₃ required is 0.106 kg, so, To neutralize 5.04×10³ kg of H₂SO₄, Na₂CO₃ required is =  5.451 X 10³ kg.