Question

46. Sulfuric acid (H₂SO4) reacts with aqueous sodium cyanide, forming hydrogen cyanide gas and aqueous sodium sulfate.​

Answer 1

The subject question deals with a double-replacement chemical reaction in which sulfuric acid reacts with sodium cyanide, producing hydrogen cyanide gas and aqueous sodium sulfate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction described is a chemical reaction between sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and sodium cyanide (NaCN), which is an example of a double-replacement reaction that produces hydrogen cyanide gas and aqueous sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄). This type of reaction often involves the exchange of ions between the compounds and can lead to the formation of a gas, a precipitate, or another compound.

Similar reactions include the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and sulfuric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, or the reaction of sodium carbonate with hydrochloric acid to produce sodium chloride, carbon dioxide gas, and water. Furthermore, when sodium sulfide and hydrochloric acid are mixed, hydrogen sulfide gas is produced, illustrating the common occurrence of gas formation in double-replacement reactions.

Answer 2

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid (H₂SO4) and aqueous sodium cyanide is:

H₂SO4 + 2 NaCN → 2 HCN + Na₂SO₄

In this reaction, sulfuric acid (H₂SO4) reacts with aqueous sodium cyanide (NaCN) to produce hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN) and aqueous sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄).

To balance the equation, two moles of sodium cyanide are required for every mole of sulfuric acid. The reaction produces two moles of hydrogen cyanide and one mole of sodium sulfate for every two moles of sodium cyanide and one mole of sulfuric acid.

It's important to note that hydrogen cyanide gas is highly toxic and dangerous, and proper safety precautions must be taken when handling this chemical.

Step-by-step explanation: