What will happen when dilute sulphuric acid is added to sodium sulfite?
(A) $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+S{{O}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
(B) $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}+S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
(C) $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
(D) $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
Answer
300.9k+ views
Hint: The reaction between dilute sulphuric acid and sodium sulfite is a double displacement reaction. Double displacement reactions are the reactions in which two compounds react by an exchange of ions to form two new compounds.
Complete step by step solution:
-In double displacement reactions, the positive ions exchange with negative ions. The general reaction is represented by the following general equation-
${{A}^{+}}{{B}^{-}}+{{C}^{+}}{{D}^{-}}\to {{A}^{+}}{{D}^{-}}+{{C}^{+}}{{B}^{-}}$
-The reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium sulfite occurs in the following two steps-
(i) The first step involves the reaction of sulphuric acid with sodium sulfite giving sodium sulfite and sulfurous acid as products.
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}$
(ii) In the second step, sulfurous acid formed in the first step being highly unstable, decomposes spontaneously into sulfur dioxide and water.
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}\to S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
Thus, the overall reaction can be given as-
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
So, the correct answer is option C.
Note: You should not get confused between sodium sulfate and sodium sulfite. Sodium sulfate is an inorganic salt of sodium with chemical formula as $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$, which exists in three forms. The anhydrous form sodium sulfate is known as thenardite, a heptahydrate form is a rare form, and the decahydrate form is known as mirabilite. Sodium sulfite is an inorganic compound which a pale yellow, water-soluble solid with the chemical formula sodium sulfate minus one oxygen, that is $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}$. Sodium sulfite is used commercially as a preservative and an antioxidant. Another form of sodium sulfite is also known which is heptahydrate but it is not of much use due to its greater susceptibility towards oxidation by air. Sodium sulfite is used commercially in the pulp and paper industry, as an oxygen scavenger agent and is used to treat water being fed to steam boilers to avoid corrosion issues. It is also used as a reducing agent in the textile industry as a bleaching, desulfurizing, and dechlorinating agent. In the production of sodium thiosulphate, it is used as a reagent in sulfonation and sulfomethylation agents.
Complete step by step solution:
-In double displacement reactions, the positive ions exchange with negative ions. The general reaction is represented by the following general equation-
${{A}^{+}}{{B}^{-}}+{{C}^{+}}{{D}^{-}}\to {{A}^{+}}{{D}^{-}}+{{C}^{+}}{{B}^{-}}$
-The reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium sulfite occurs in the following two steps-
(i) The first step involves the reaction of sulphuric acid with sodium sulfite giving sodium sulfite and sulfurous acid as products.
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}$
(ii) In the second step, sulfurous acid formed in the first step being highly unstable, decomposes spontaneously into sulfur dioxide and water.
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}\to S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
Thus, the overall reaction can be given as-
${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}\to N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}+S{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
So, the correct answer is option C.
Note: You should not get confused between sodium sulfate and sodium sulfite. Sodium sulfate is an inorganic salt of sodium with chemical formula as $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$, which exists in three forms. The anhydrous form sodium sulfate is known as thenardite, a heptahydrate form is a rare form, and the decahydrate form is known as mirabilite. Sodium sulfite is an inorganic compound which a pale yellow, water-soluble solid with the chemical formula sodium sulfate minus one oxygen, that is $N{{a}_{2}}S{{O}_{3}}$. Sodium sulfite is used commercially as a preservative and an antioxidant. Another form of sodium sulfite is also known which is heptahydrate but it is not of much use due to its greater susceptibility towards oxidation by air. Sodium sulfite is used commercially in the pulp and paper industry, as an oxygen scavenger agent and is used to treat water being fed to steam boilers to avoid corrosion issues. It is also used as a reducing agent in the textile industry as a bleaching, desulfurizing, and dechlorinating agent. In the production of sodium thiosulphate, it is used as a reagent in sulfonation and sulfomethylation agents.
Recently Updated Pages
Normality of 03 M phosphorus acid H3PO3 is A 05 B 06 class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

A molecule with highest bond energy A Fluorine B Chlorine class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

A 30 solution of H2O2 is marketed as 100 volume hydrogen class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

Covalent compounds generally have low melting and boiling class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

The degeneracy of hydrogen atom that has equal energy class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Chemistry In Hindi Chapter 1 Some Basic Concepts Of Chemistry - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

Understanding the Different Types of Solutions in Chemistry

What Are Elastic Collisions in One Dimension?

Effective Nuclear Charge for JEE

