Concentration of a salt produced by neutralization reaction

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the concentration of sodium sulfate produced from the neutralization reaction between sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. It includes aspects of stoichiometry, the effects of volume changes during the reaction, and the nature of the ions involved.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the number of moles of sodium sulfate produced and suggests that the final volume can be assumed as the sum of the initial volumes of the reactants.
  • Another participant agrees that the effects of water produced and disappearing ions mostly cancel out, supporting the assumption of final volume being the sum of the initial volumes.
  • A participant questions how ions can disappear while still having a volume, indicating confusion about the concept of spectator ions.
  • Another participant explains that the ions do not disappear entirely but rather form water, and notes that the volumes of the reacting ions and the product are similar but not identical.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the stoichiometry of the neutralization reaction and the assumption regarding the final volume, but there is some confusion about the concept of disappearing ions and their relation to volume.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of volume changes due to the formation of water and the presence of spectator ions, leaving some assumptions unaddressed.

Javeria
Messages
21
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


10.00 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 sulfuric acid is fully neutralized by 20.00 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 of sodium hydroxide. What is the concentration, in mol dm–3, of sodium sulfate solution produced by the reaction?
A 0.33
B 0.50
C 0.67
D 1.00

Correct answer = A

Homework Equations



Mol = Concentration * Volume (dm^3)

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated the number of moles of sodium sulfate which are 0.01 mol from the formula and ratio between the moles of sulfuric acid:sodium sulfate or sodium hydroxide:sodium sulfate. We don't have the volume of sodium sulfate. If i take the volume as 30 cm^3 for sodium sulfate then i get the correct answer A but water is present too so that's not possible, please explain!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, there are minute amounts of water produced, but also some of the ions that were present disappeared. These effects mostly cancel out so you can safely assume the final volume is just sum of volumes.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Javeria
Borek said:
Yes, there are minute amounts of water produced, but also some of the ions that were present disappeared. These effects mostly cancel out so you can safely assume the final volume is just sum of volumes.
Oh okay, how do the ions disappear?
 
What is the neutralization reaction?
 
Borek said:
What is the neutralization reaction?

H+1 and OH-1 form water and the other ions are spectator ions so they cancel out. OH OKAY. But then if they're disappearing why do they have a volume?
 
It is not like they are disappearing out of this world - write the reaction equation. Two ions disappear, something appears. Volumes of the reacting ions and the product are not exactly identical, but they are quite similar.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Javeria

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
12
Views
6K