Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
Which one among the following is the equivalent weight of sulphuric acid? (Atomic weight: H = 1, S = 32, O = 16)
Explanation
The equivalent weight of an acid is defined as its molecular weight divided by its basicity, which represents the number of replaceable hydrogen ions (H+) per molecule. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a dibasic acid because it contains two replaceable hydrogen atoms. To find the equivalent weight, first calculate the molecular weight using the provided atomic weights: (2 × 1 for H) + (1 × 32 for S) + (4 × 16 for O), which equals 98 g/mol. Applying the formula, the equivalent weight is the molecular weight (98) divided by the basicity (2), resulting in 49. While the equivalent weight can theoretically vary if only one hydrogen is replaced in specific reactions, the standard value used in general chemistry for H2SO4 is 49.