What will happen when I mix concentrated sulfuric acid in a conical flask containing aluminum tied at the end with balloon?
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Answers
Actually, the observation will most likely be not as expected.
98.5 % concentrated sulphuric acid contains mostly only unionized molecules in it, for an acid to behave like a typical acid it must have large quantities of H+ ions in it, as concentrated sulphuric acid is not well ionized, it behaves more like an oxidizing agent rather than a typical acid. Thus Aluminium would not produce vigorous bubbling with concentrated sulphuric acid, on adding aluminium, concentrated sulphuric acid would decompose to give nascent oxygen, sulphur dioxide and water.
H2SO4(conc.)----------> SO2+ [O] +H2O
The nascent oxygen, being highly oxidizing will then oxidize aluminium giving rise to aluminium oxide. 2Al + 3[O]-------> Al2O3
Aluminium oxide may then react with sulphuric acid as follows:
Al2O3+3H2SO4------> Al2(SO4)3 +3H2O
Thus, mild or minute bubbling may be observed at elevated temperatures and nothing more.
Also, if any H2(Hydrogen gas) is formed it shall immediately be oxidized by the nascent oxygen present to water.
If dilute sulphuric acid was to be used, which is more of a typical acid and a strong acid containing large quantities of H+ ions in it, then vigorous bubbling of hydrogen will be seen filling the balloon.