- #1
leojun
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why can't we get 100% concentration of sulphuric acid by boiling it?
It is not possible to achieve 100% concentration of sulfuric acid by boiling because sulfuric acid is a strong acid and it forms an azeotrope with water. This means that at a certain temperature, the vapor produced by boiling sulfuric acid and water will have the same composition as the liquid mixture. Therefore, no matter how long sulfuric acid is boiled, it will never reach 100% concentration.
An azeotrope is a mixture of two or more liquids that has a constant boiling point and composition. This means that the vapor produced by boiling the mixture will have the same composition as the liquid mixture. In the case of sulfuric acid and water, the azeotrope has a composition of approximately 98.3% sulfuric acid and 1.7% water.
The azeotrope affects the concentration of sulfuric acid by limiting the maximum concentration that can be achieved through boiling. This is because when the vapor produced by boiling the mixture condenses, it will have the same composition as the liquid mixture due to the azeotrope. Therefore, the maximum concentration of sulfuric acid that can be achieved by boiling is approximately 98.3%.
Yes, it is possible to achieve 100% concentration of sulfuric acid through other methods such as distillation or chemical reactions. These methods involve separating the sulfuric acid from the water, rather than relying on boiling to increase the concentration. However, these methods can be more complex and may not be practical for large-scale production.
Sulfuric acid is important in industrial processes because it is a strong acid that can react with a wide range of substances. It is commonly used in the production of fertilizers, detergents, batteries, and various chemicals. It is also used in metal processing, wastewater treatment, and oil refining. Its ability to react with other substances makes it a versatile and valuable chemical in many industries.