Question

Reaction of an inorganic sulphite X with dilute H₂SO₄ generates compound Y. Reaction of Y with NaOH gives X. Further, the reaction of X with Y and water affords compound Z. Y and Z, respectively, are:

Options:
a. SO₂ and NaHSO₃
b. S and Na₂SO₃
c. SO₂ and Na₂SO₃
d. SO₃ and NaHSO₃

Answer 1

Compound Y is sulfur dioxide (SO₂) formed when a sulfite reacts with sulfuric acid, and compound Z is sodium hydrogen sulfite (NaHSO₃), which is produced when a sulfite, sulfur dioxide, and water react together.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of an inorganic sulfite X with dilute H₂SO₄ generates a compound Y. When Y reacts with NaOH, it yields X back. Additionally, the reaction of X with Y and water produces compound Z. Based on the given reactions, we can determine the identities of Y and Z.

When sulfite reacts with sulfuric acid, it is likely forming sulfur dioxide (SO₂), which is compound Y. This is because sulfuric acid can oxidize sulfites to sulfur dioxide through acid-base reactions. This SO₂ will react with NaOH to reform the sulfite, which makes sense as NaOH is a base capable of neutralizing an acid like SO₂ to form a salt (Na₂SO₃).

The reaction of sulfite (Na₂SO₃) with sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and water would produce sodium hydrogen sulfite (NaHSO₃), which is Z. This is in line with the concept that sulfur oxides and sulfites can react with water to form hydrogen sulfites.

Therefore, Y and Z, respectively, are sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sodium hydrogen sulfite (NaHSO₃).