How to make a comparison between Sulfuric Acid vs Hydrochloric Acid

In order to establish the difference between sulfuric acid vs hydrochloric acid, we must determine what each of these two terms means, inquire about the properties they have, their uses, and the applications they are given in the different facets of industries, as well as in everyday life.

What is sulfuric acid?

It is an inorganic compound, classified as one of the 7 acids considered strong, has the characteristic of being able to ionize in solutions, dissociating completely, globally this chemical is considered the most used, being the most produced worldwide.

Sulfuric acid has a high corrosive power, it is given other names such as tetraoxosulfuric acid, and also as hydrogen tetraoxosulfate.

Properties of the sulfuric acid

In the comparison of sulfuric acid vs hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid presents a liquid state, with an oily appearance, of a transparent color, with a sweet smell, which when the concentration is higher, tends to resemble a volcano smell, and rotten egg, with a more yellowish color.

It has the molecular formula H2SO4, meaning that each molecule is composed as follows: hydrogen 2 atoms, sulfur 1 atom, oxygen 4 atoms.   

The boiling point of the compound is 337 degrees Celsius, and melting point is 10 degrees Celsius, with a density of 1.84 g/cm3, due to its dehydrating effect it is soluble with water, but generates heat.

It is a compound with good capacity to conduct electric current, chemically this acid is a substance with a strong oxidizing character, which produces reactions with metals forming bisulfates, sulfates, also in high concentrations reacts with someelements, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, precious metals, are some of them.

What is sulfuric acid used for?

At the industrial level it is useful in drying gases, also liquids, as a synthesizer of chemical ingredients, because of this quality it is used in petrochemicals, agrochemicals apply it to obtain various fertilizers, it is the basis when making detergents.

When making paper, textiles, preparing wood, treating metals, and cleaning products, it fulfills great functions.

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Hydrochloric acid

Is an inorganic and binary compound, that forms solution of gas called hydrogen chloride, is part of the select group known as strong acids, it can appear spontaneously by incineration of hydrocarbons, volcanic eruptions, also naturally by living beings, although for the highest requirements the production process is artificial.

Hydrochloric acid properties

It presents a liquid state, the appearance of transparent color, according to the degree of concentration, if this is higher, it becomes yellowish, is not flammable.

It molecular formula is HCl, each molecule that makes up the compound has:

Hydrogen: 1 atom

Chlorine: 1 atom

Is one of the compounds that reacts with oxidizing agents, with a variety of metals forming hydrogen, and dissolving them, with water it releases heat, and has high corrosive qualities, has capacity to dissolve organic tissues, salts, and other minerals.

The pH is quite acidic, below 1, i.e., although it varies with the degree of concentration of the compound in water, other properties, such as boiling, melting points, density, behave similarly.

What is hydrochloric acid used for?

To continue with a review of sulfuric acid vs hydrochloric acid, it should be known that the latter has utilities in the production of compounds of greater complexity, it is applied to eliminate some residues that remain in the containers where chemical reactions are carried out.

Some sectors, such as cleaning, use this acid as an ingredient in cleaning products, in solvents, to eliminate limestone, as an acidity regulator in various chemical solutions, the food sector uses it efficiently to make gelatins, as an agent to dissolve all those minerals present in bones, the metallurgical sector uses it to combat rust.

Sulfuric acid vs hydrochloric acid

Sulfuric acid belongs to the polyprotic compounds, specifically diprotic, since in an aqueous solution each molecule of the acid donates 2 H+ protons, while hydrochloric acid belongs to the monoprotic compounds, because when dissolved in water it donates only one proton, in this case the only hydrogen atom that the molecule of this acid possesses.

Both acids are highly corrosive, and both are in the elite group of strong acids, although hydrochloric acid is less strong than sulfuric acid.

Sulfuric acid molecules have a pyramidal structure, while hydrochloric acid molecules have a linear structure.