3. Industrial Applications

• In the Mining Sector (Extraction and Refining)

• This is one of the world's largest consumers of sulfuric acid.

• Heap Leaching: Used to extract metals from ores, particularly copper, uranium, and zinc. The acid dissolves the metal contained in the rock to form a rich solution.

• Phosphate Processing: Used to transform phosphate rock into phosphoric acid, a crucial step in fertilizer production.

• Metal Refining: It is used to clean metal surfaces (pickling) before plating or galvanizing.

• Other Major Applications

• Agriculture: Production of superphosphate fertilizers and ammonium sulfate.

• Chemical Industry: Production of dyes, detergents, explosives (nitroglycerin), and pharmaceuticals.

• Batteries: It is the electrolyte used in lead-acid batteries for automobiles.

• Petrochemicals: Used as a catalyst in oil refining.

4. Key Strengths of the Reagent

• Efficiency: It is one of the most powerful and least expensive acids to produce on a large scale.

• Versatility: It is involved in almost every manufacturing process (it is sometimes called "the lifeblood of industry").

• Thermal Stability: Its high boiling point allows it to be used in high-temperature processes where other acids would evaporate.

⚠️ Safety and Handling

Sulfuric acid causes severe chemical burns. Always pour the acid into water (and never water into the acid) to avoid splashes due to the violent exothermic reaction.

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is arguably one of the most important chemical compounds in modern industry, often considered an indicator of a country's industrial power.

1. Technical Specifications and Physical Properties

• Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid that is colorless and odorless in its pure form. It is completely miscible with water, a reaction that is extremely exothermic (releasing a large amount of heat).

• Molecular Formula: H₂SO₄

• Molar Mass: 98.079 g/mol

• Appearance: Oily, viscous, colorless liquid

• Density: Approximately 1.84 g/cm³ (at a 98% concentration)

• Melting Point: 10.31 °C

• Boiling Point: 337 °C

2. Chemical Properties and Reactivity

• Sulfuric acid is a versatile acid due to its three main properties:

• Strong Acid: In aqueous solution, it readily releases H⁺ ions. It can attack almost all metals (except gold and platinum).

• Dehydrating Agent: It has an extreme affinity for water. It is capable of extracting water molecules from organic tissues (sugar, wood, skin), which explains its highly corrosive nature.

• Oxidizing Agent: When hot and concentrated, it acts as a powerful oxidant, capable of reacting with non-metallic substances such as carbon.

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