Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid

2NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O

Overview

Sodium hydroxide reacts with sulfuric acid to form sodium sulfate and water. This is a standard acid-base neutralization producing a neutral salt. Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt) was one of the first chemicals produced industrially.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sulfuric Acid H₂SO₄	1	(aq)
Reactant	Sodium Hydroxide NaOH	2	(aq)
Product	Sodium Sulfate Na₂SO₄	1	(aq)
Product	Water H₂O	2	(l)

Everyday Example

Sodium sulfate is found as an ingredient in some laundry detergents, where it serves as a filler and helps distribute the active ingredients.

Industrial Importance

Sodium sulfate is used in the Kraft process for paper pulping, in glass manufacturing, in detergent formulations, and in textile dyeing as a leveling agent.

Properties

Type: Double Replacement
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -114.2 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid (White Smoke) Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate Precipitation Calcium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate Calcium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide (Limewater Test) Calcium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid Copper(II) Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide Iron(III) Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide (Golden Rain)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid?

The balanced equation is: 2NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O.

What type of reaction is Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid?

Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid is a double replacement reaction.

Is Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid exothermic or endothermic?

Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -114.2 kJ/mol.