Sulfur to Sulfuric Acid
Combustion of sulfur fuels creates acid rain precursors
What this lesson covers
Why it matters
Sulfur burns with a blue flame to release a suffocating gas. This gas eventually joins water in the clouds to create acid rain.
The idea in plain words
Observe how sulfur trioxide combines with water to form sulfuric acid.
Predict first
What happens when sulfur burns in oxygen?
Sulfur burns in oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO₂), observed by a blue flame and a suffocating smell.
- It forms sulfur trioxide (SO₃) directly
- It forms sulfur dioxide (SO₂) with a blue flame — correct
- It forms hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
What you do
Burn sulfur to make SO₂. Then oxidize SO₂ to SO₃. Finally, let SO₃ react with water to form sulfuric acid.
Check yourself
What is the balanced equation for the formation of sulfur dioxide from sulfur?
Sulfur burns in oxygen to form sulfur dioxide: S + O₂ → SO₂.
How is sulfur trioxide (SO₃) formed from sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
Sulfur dioxide oxidizes to sulfur trioxide: 2SO₂ + O₂ → 2SO₃.
What acid is formed when sulfur trioxide reacts with water?
Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to form sulfuric acid: SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄.
- S + O₂ → SO₃
- S + O₂ → SO₂ — correct
- 2S + O₂ → 2SO
- 2SO₂ + O₂ → 2SO₃ — correct
- SO₂ + O₂ → SO₄
- SO₂ + H₂O → H₂SO₃
- Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃)
- Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) — correct
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)