Question

which type of chemical reaction is represented above?
h₂so₄(aq) + koh(aq) → k₂so₄(aq) + 2h₂o(l)
single replacement
combustion
neutralization
oxidation reduction

Explanation:

• Single replacement: In a single - replacement reaction, one element replaces another in a compound. For example, \(Zn + CuSO_4

ightarrow ZnSO_4+Cu\). In the given reaction \(H_2SO_4(aq)+KOH(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq) + 2H_2O(l)\), there is no single element replacement.

• Combustion: Combustion reactions involve a substance reacting with oxygen (usually in the form of burning) to produce heat and often carbon dioxide and water. For example, \(CH_4+2O_2

ightarrow CO_2 + 2H_2O\). The given reaction does not involve oxygen as a reactant in that sense.

• Neutralization: A neutralization reaction is a reaction between an acid (\(H_2SO_4\) is an acid, \(H^+\) donor) and a base (\(KOH\) is a base, \(OH^-\) donor) to form a salt (\(K_2SO_4\)) and water (\(H_2O\)). The general form of an acid - base neutralization is \(H^++OH^-

ightarrow H_2O\), and in the given reaction \(H_2SO_4 + 2KOH=K_2SO_4+2H_2O\), the \(H^+\) from \(H_2SO_4\) (\(H_2SO_4 = 2H^++SO_4^{2 -}\)) reacts with \(OH^-\) from \(KOH\) (\(KOH=K^++OH^-\)) to form water.

• Oxidation - reduction: Oxidation - reduction (redox) reactions involve a transfer of electrons (change in oxidation states). In \(H_2SO_4(aq)+KOH(aq)

ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+2H_2O(l)\), the oxidation states of \(H\) (always \(+ 1\) in these compounds), \(S\) (\(+6\) in \(H_2SO_4\) and \(K_2SO_4\)), \(O\) (\(-2\)) and \(K\) (\(+1\)) do not change.

Answer:

Neutralization