Question

an auto mechanic spills 74mL of 4.2M h2SO4 solution from a rebuilt auto battery. how many millimeters of 1.4M NaHCO3 must be poured on the spill to react completely with the sulfuric acid

Answer 1

Balanced equation for reaction

H₂SO₄ + 2NaHCO₃ Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O + 2CO₂

74 ml = 0.074 L

no. of mole = molarity volume of solution in liter

no of mole of H₂SO₄ = 4.2   0.074 = 0.3108 mole

Accordint to reaction 1 mole of H₂SO₄ require 2 mole of NaHCO₃ then 0.3108 mole of H₂SO₄ require

0.3108 2 / 1 = 0.6216 mole of NaHCO₃

volume of solution in liter = no of mole / molarity

volume of solution NaHCO₃ = 0.6216/1.4 = 0.444L

0.444 L = 444 ml

444 ml of 1.4M NaHCO₃ must be poured on the spill to react completely with the sulfuric acid