Which chemical formula represents sulfuric acid?

Prepare for the Dual Enrollment Physical Science Midterm Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Get ready to excel on your midterm!

Multiple Choice

Which chemical formula represents sulfuric acid?

Explanation:
When identifying sulfuric acid, focus on its composition: a sulfur atom bonded to oxygen in a sulfate group, with hydrogen atoms included. The formula H2SO4 reflects two hydrogens, one sulfur, and four oxygens, which matches the sulfate structure and makes it sulfuric acid—the strongest common mineral acid used in chemistry. The other formulas correspond to different substances: HCl is hydrochloric acid, NH3 is ammonia, and H2O is water. These do not contain sulfur or the sulfate arrangement, so they are not sulfuric acid.

When identifying sulfuric acid, focus on its composition: a sulfur atom bonded to oxygen in a sulfate group, with hydrogen atoms included. The formula H2SO4 reflects two hydrogens, one sulfur, and four oxygens, which matches the sulfate structure and makes it sulfuric acid—the strongest common mineral acid used in chemistry.

The other formulas correspond to different substances: HCl is hydrochloric acid, NH3 is ammonia, and H2O is water. These do not contain sulfur or the sulfate arrangement, so they are not sulfuric acid.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy