Final answer:
In the reaction between sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide, the products formed are potassium sulfate and water. The balanced chemical equation is H2SO4(aq) + 2 KOH(aq) → K2SO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l).
Step-by-step explanation:
When sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution reacts with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, a neutralization reaction occurs. The products of this reaction are potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and water (H2O). Following the principle that acid and base reactions typically form a salt and water, we can write the balanced chemical equation for this reaction as:
H2SO4(aq) + 2 KOH(aq) → K2SO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l)
This shows that for each mole of sulfuric acid, two moles of potassium hydroxide are required to complete the reaction, resulting in one mole of potassium sulfate, which is a salt, and two moles of water as products. It's essential to note that sulfuric acid has two hydrogen ions available for the reaction, necessitating two hydroxide ions from two molecules of potassium hydroxide to form the two water molecules.