chapter 7.  ELEMENTS OF GROUPS 16, 17 AND 18 class 12 chemistry textbook solution

Answer:-

Concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a strong oxidizing agent, and it can participate in various reactions where it oxidizes other substances. Here are two reactions that demonstrate the oxidizing property of concentrated sulfuric acid:

1. Oxidation of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2): Concentrated sulfuric acid can oxidize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to produce oxygen gas (O2) and water (H2O). This reaction is a demonstration of sulfuric acid’s oxidizing ability:

   Reaction: H2SO4 + 2H2O2 → 2H2SO4 + O2 + 2H2O

   In this reaction, concentrated sulfuric acid acts as an oxidizing agent, and hydrogen peroxide is oxidized to form oxygen gas and water.

2. Oxidation of Sodium Nitrite (NaNO2): Concentrated sulfuric acid can also oxidize sodium nitrite (NaNO2) to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas, which is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent odor:

   Reaction: 2NaNO2 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2NO2↑

   In this reaction, concentrated sulfuric acid oxidizes sodium nitrite to produce sodium sulfate, water, and nitrogen dioxide gas. The nitrogen dioxide gas evolved can be recognized by its characteristic reddish-brown color and pungent odor.

These reactions highlight the oxidizing power of concentrated sulfuric acid, which can facilitate the oxidation of various substances, often leading to the release of oxygen or other oxidized products. It’s important to handle concentrated sulfuric acid with care due to its corrosive and potentially hazardous properties.