Question

Suppose you mix one mole of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with 1 mole of sodium hydroxide(NaOH).

Why does the pH of the solution remain below 7?

(Please explain so I can get better understanding!)

Answer 1

Answer & Explanation:

• The neutralization of H₂SO₄ with NaOH is occurred according to the balanced equation:

H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O,

It is clear that every 1.0 mol of H₂SO₄ needs 2 mol of NaOH to be neutralized completely.

So, when you mix one mole of sulfuric acid with 1 mole of sodium hydroxide, there will be an excess of sulfuric acid.

Thus, the pH of the solution remain below 7.