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This question is about sulfuric acid and sulfates - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 3
Question 5
This question is about sulfuric acid and sulfates. One reaction in the industrial production of sulfuric acid is: $$2SO_2 (g) + O_2 (g) \rightleftharpoons 2SO_3 (g... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about sulfuric acid and sulfates - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 3
Step 1
Explain why a moderately high temperature, instead of a low temperature, is used for this reaction.
Answer
A moderately high temperature is used to increase the reaction rate, as higher temperatures typically enhance the kinetic energy of the reacting molecules, leading to a greater frequency of collisions. However, since the forward reaction is exothermic, using too high of a temperature would decrease the yield of the products. Thus, a moderate temperature provides a compromise between rate and yield.
Step 2
Explain why you would expect this reaction to be carried out at high pressure.
Answer
The reaction is expected to be carried out at high pressure because increasing the pressure shifts the equilibrium to the right, favoring the formation of more molecules of gas on the right side of the equation, and thus increasing yield. This is due to the presence of more moles of gas on the left-hand side.
Step 3
This reaction is carried out at atmospheric pressure. Suggest one advantage, other than cost, of using atmospheric pressure and not a high pressure for this reaction.
Answer
An advantage of using atmospheric pressure is the reduced risk of explosion or leakage, making the process safer and easier to control.
Step 4
Describe how sodium hydroxide solution is used to distinguish between a solution of magnesium sulfate and a solution of aluminium sulfate.
Answer
When sodium hydroxide solution is added to aluminum sulfate, a white precipitate of aluminum hydroxide forms. In contrast, when sodium hydroxide is added to magnesium sulfate, the solution remains clear, as there is no precipitate formed. This difference can be used to distinguish between the two sulfate solutions.