Sulfuric acid

Sulfuric acid has many uses in a modern society. It is used to produce a range of products from fertilisers to car batteries.

Sulfuric acid is a strong diprotic acid. Under certain conditions it can donate two protons. When reacted with water sulfuric acid will ionise fully donating a proton. However donating the second proton is harder and the reaction does not proceed to completion.

Sulfuric acid is manufactured from molten sulfur or a supply of sulfur dioxide gas in a process called the contact process. A typical manufacturing plant is shown on the right.

Its use in the production of fertilisers is critical and the pie graph on the right summarises the extent of sulfuric acid use in an industry.
Continue with the uses of sulfuric acid