Question

Which of the following would not neutralize a solution of H2SO4?

sodium hydroxide

nitric acid

lithium hydroxide

ammonia

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure that its D

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is nitric acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

An acid is defined as the substance which looses hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.
`H_2SO_4` is an acid because it looses 2 hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

`H_2SO_4\rightarrow 2H^++SO_4^(2-)`

A base is defined as the substance which looses hydroxide ions when dissolved in water or it accepts hydrogen ions easily.

An acid is neutralized only by base.

From the given options:

Option 1: Sodium hydroxide

The chemical formula for this compound is NaOH. This compound will donate hydroxide ion when dissolved in water. Therefore, this is a base.

`NaOH\rightarrow Na^++OH^-`

Option 2: Nitric acid

The chemical formula for this compound is
`HNO_3`. This compound will donate hydrogen ion when dissolved in water. Therefore, this is an acid.

`HNO_3\rightarrow H^++NO_3^-`

Option 3: Lithium hydroxide

The chemical formula for this compound is LiOH. This compound will donate hydroxide ion when dissolved in water. Therefore, this is a base.

`LiOH\rightarrow Li^++OH^-`

Option 4: Ammonia

The chemical formula for this compound is
`NH_3`. This compound will accept hydrogen ion. Therefore, this is a base.

`NH_3+H^+\rightarrow NH_4^+`

Hence, the correct answer is nitric acid.