I added some iron nails to a sulfuric acid solution and heated them up to +-80°C to speed up the reaction. The whole thing started to fizz loudly, but it also started to smell. What could be the cause of the smell? I thought H2SO4 + Fe –> H2 + FeSO4 but maybe some of the reaction products have continued to react ?
Asker: Ward, age 16
Answer
Day Ward
You probably made sulfur oxides: SO2 and SO3
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a gas and has a pungent smell, so that’s probably what you’re smelling.
Kind regards
Answered by
dr. Marina Vanhecke
analytical chemistry toxicology soil remediation
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UC Leuven Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13 | 3000 Leuven Hertogstraat 178 | 3001 Heverlee UC Limburg Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan building B box 1 3590 Diepenbeek
http://www.ucll.be
.