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What is Sulfuric Acid?

Shannon Kietzman
Shannon Kietzman

Sulfuric acid is an oily, colorless liquid with no odor. It is a key component in batteries, wastewater treatment, ore production, and fertilizer creation. Sixty-five percent of all fertilizers available on the market today are created from a combination of this acid and other chemicals. It is created from inorganic materials through a process that utilizes a special type of chemical reaction. More than 40 million tons are produced annually in the United States alone.

When sulfur compounds are burned, sulfur dioxide gas is left behind. When sulfur dioxide gas is heated to 450°F (232°C), the combination turns into sulfur trioxide. Jabir Ibn Hayyan mixed sulfur trioxide with water to create sulfuric acid in the 8th century. A century later, Ibn Zakariya al-Razi, a Persian physician and alchemist, continued studying the acid and discovered it had the ability to destroy iron and copper oxide.

Sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless and oily liquid.
Sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless and oily liquid.

A variety of substances can be mixed with sulfuric acid in order to create new products. Sulfur can be mixed with forms of aluminum to create aluminum sulfates. When aluminum sulfates are mixed with wood pulp, the fibers bond together and create paper. Aluminum sulfates mixed with dioxides create a mixture that takes impurities out of water. These aluminum dioxides are commonly used at water treatment plants.

Many types of fertilizer are made with sulfuric acid.
Many types of fertilizer are made with sulfuric acid.

Cyclohexanoneoxime and sulfuric acid combine to make caprolactum. Caprolactum is used to make nylon. Hydrochloric acid is another creation derived from this acid that is commonly used in the world today. In addition, sodiums and sulfuric acids are combined to help refine petroleum in order to create gasoline.

Due to the acid's unstable properties, it is essential for those combining it with water to add it to the water and not the other way around. If water is poured into sulfuric acid, a volatile explosion of boiling water can be created. Though the acid is non-flammable, it can create hydrogen gas, which is highly volatile.

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Discussion Comments

anon297934

How is sulfuric acid manufactured? What are the hazards involved in storing and transporting sulfuric acid? What happens if there is a spill?

anon273284

What are the uses of sulphuric acid in our daily life?

anon237301

what is a compound molecular sketch of sulfuric acid?

anon192963

What is Sulfuric water?

anon167582

What is sulfuric acid commonly used in?

asava17

Why is sulfuric acid used in disinfectants such as Ajax? Does it have any anti bacterial properties? Does it cut through grease? What does it actually do? Please answer.

anon166536

is sulphuric acid electrically conductive when diluted or concentrated?

anon158569

"Can sulfuric acid be changed into a non-corrosive liquid? "

You can dilute it with water. Likewise if you add a caustic to it I would assume the right balance could bring it back to a neutral pH level.

anon151360

no, sulphuric (sulfuric) acid does not melt glass. Neither does HCl, which is supposed to be extremely acidic. it causes acid rain. i think it smells like old eggs or something similar.

anon131770

what acid can react with concrete cement?

anon124242

Can sulfuric acid melt glass?

Tinbottom

I know it conducts electricity, but can it turn into a gas when electricity passes through it?

anon90377

is sulfuric acid the same as sulfur the stuff that is in gun powder. (black powder)

anon80914

How does sulfuric acid affect the environment and aquatic life?

anon73464

How does sulfuric acid affect the liver?

anon69331

What are the factors and conditions of manufacturing sulfuric acid?

anon67384

would high levels of sulfuric acid in the body cause fingers to contract?

jade3274

If sulfuric acid is so bad, why is it being used in Albuterol inhalation solution? I have COPD, and I use the albuterol solution in my nebulizer twice a day. How does this affect my lungs?

anon64053

Can sulfuric acid be changed into a non-corrosive liquid?

anon51351

how does this acid destroy nature?

anon27079

Why does sulfuric acid smell like nothing? Most chemicals with the ending 'acid' are supposed to smell putrid, but sulfuric acid doesn't. Does anyone know why?

anon24605

how long can sulfuric acid stored in same container also what would be concentration level of sulfuric acid (98.5%) now which has been stored in a tank for the past 7 years?

anon14161

which is correct structural formula for sulphuric acid; one which has all atoms single covalent bonded or the one in which oxygens are doubly bonded to S. explain mechanism for the sulhonation of benzene, how is so3 electrohile formed?

anon11630

how is sulfuric acid identified now?

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    • Sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless and oily liquid.
      By: WH CHOW
      Sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless and oily liquid.
    • Many types of fertilizer are made with sulfuric acid.
      By: Winai Tepsuttinun
      Many types of fertilizer are made with sulfuric acid.
    • Sulfur can be mixed with aluminum to create aluminum sulfate, which combined with wood pulp creates paper.
      By: Roman Samokhin
      Sulfur can be mixed with aluminum to create aluminum sulfate, which combined with wood pulp creates paper.
    • Sulfuric acid, mixed with aluminum and dioxides, is used in water treatment facilities to remove impurities from the water.
      By: antiksu
      Sulfuric acid, mixed with aluminum and dioxides, is used in water treatment facilities to remove impurities from the water.
    • A sulfuric acid burn should be irrigated profusely with water.
      By: g215
      A sulfuric acid burn should be irrigated profusely with water.