15 Facts on HCl + K2SO3: What, How to Balance & FAQs

In this reaction, HCl, a strong acid, can react with weak bases like K2SO3 to form salt and water. Let us ascertain the different characteristics of this HCl + K2SO3 reaction.

In the HCl molecule, the bindings are purely ionic.HCl melting point depends upon the concentration of the solution and the density of one molar is 1.2 g/mL at 25 °C. K2SO3 is a non-flammable salt having high solubility its molar mass is 158.26 g/mol and its acidic value is 8.

Let us acquire some of the characteristics of this HCl+K2SO3 reaction, like its enthalpy, entropy, type of reaction, and type of products formed during the reaction.

What is the product of HCl and K2SO3?

Potassium sulfite reacts with hydrogen chloride to produce potassium chloride, sulfur dioxide, and water. Here Hydrogen chloride is in the diluted medium.

K2SO3 + 2HCl → 2KCl + SO2 + H2O

What type of reaction is HCl + K2SO3

The reaction between hydrochloric acid and potassium sulfite is considered as an acid-base neutralization reaction. Double exchange reaction followed by decomposition.

How to balance HCl + K2SO3

Step 1 : Writing the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms on both sides

The atoms present in this reaction are potassium, sulfur, hydrogen, oxygen, and chlorine. 5 atoms are present on both reactants side and the products side, of which the H atom is 1 and 2 on the reactant and product sides respectively, whereas K is 2 and 1 on the reactant and product side respectively

K2SO3 + HCl → KCl + SO2 + H2O

Step 2: Placing the coefficients to balance the equation

Coefficients are added to molecules containing an element with a different number of atoms on both reactants and the products side. The coefficients which we are adding must balance the number of atoms on both the reactants and product sides. This process is repeated until the reactants and products are both balanced.

K2SO3 + 2HCl → 2KCl + SO2 + H2O

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

Finally placing 2 Infront of HCl and 2 Infront of KCl makes the reaction balanced. Therefore, the final balanced chemical equation for the reaction of HCl+K2SO3 is;

K2SO3 + 2HCl → 2KCl + SO2 + H2O

HCl + K2SO3 titration

Below is the procedure for the titration of the weak base against strong acid:

Apparatus

Conical flask, volumetric flask, burette, pipette, burette stand, wash bottle, measuring jar.

Indicator

Generally, phenolphthalein indicator is used in acid-base titrations, and its endpoint is colorless.

Procedure

Fill the burette with standard hydrochloric acid and conical flask with base and start titration by dropwise addition of HCl; near the equivalence point, add indicator and again titrate until the color of the solution becomes colorless. Note down the readings and find the volume of KCl by using the formula V1S1=V2S2.

HCl + K2SO3 net ionic equation

Following are the steps to get the net ionic equation of HCl+ K2SO3

Step 1

We must ensure that the number of atoms on both reactants and products part is balanced equally.

K2SO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + SO2(g) + H2O (liq) 

Step 2

Split the molecules into ions which act as a strong electrolyte.

2K+ +SO32- + 2H+ + 2Cl→ 2K+ + 2Cl+ SO2+ H2O

Step 3

Eliminate the spectator ions on both the reactant side and the product side. The left-over chemical equation is termed the net ionic equation for the reaction of HCl+K2SO3.

SO32- + 2H+ → SO2+ H2O

The net ionic equation for the reaction of HCl+K2SO3 is given by;

SO32- + 2H+ → SO2+ H2O

HCL + K2SO3 conjugate pairs

Conjugate acid-base pairs of this reaction of HCl+k2SO3 are HCl and its conjugate base Clion.Conjugate pairs are those acid-base pairs in which acid can donate a proton to the proton, and the base can accept the proton.

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Conjugate Pairs

HCl and K2SO3 intermolecular forces

  • In HCl ,the intermolecular forces present between hydrogen and chlorine are dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces. But dipole-dipole forces are stronger than London dispersion forces.
  • In K2SO3 ionic -ionic intermolecular attractions are present between potassium ions and sulphate ions
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Intermolecular Forces In HCl

HCl + K2SO3 reaction enthalpy

The enthalpy of the HCl+ K2SO3 reaction is negative since it is a neutralization reaction. Thermodynamically Gibb’s free energy is less than zero when enthalpy is negative.

enthalpy web p
Enthalpy

Is HCl + K2SO3 a buffer solution

HCl+K2SO3 cannot form a buffer solution. Since HCl is a strong acid and its conjugate base is KCl (the anion of KCl salt) is a very weak base.SO HCl+ KCl is a solution of strong acid and its salt.

Is HCl + K2SO3 a complete reaction

HCl+ K2SO3 is a complete reaction since the product formed is soluble in water, so it is not undergoing any further reaction.

Is HCl + K2SO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HCl+K2SO3 is an exothermic reaction because the neutralization reactions are considered exothermic reactions. So, there is no need for extra energy to complete the reaction as some energy produced during the reaction is sufficient to drive the reaction further.

Is HCl + K2SO3 a redox reaction

HCl+K2SO3 is not a redox reaction because this reaction does not involve any transfer of electrons.

Is HCl + K2SO3 a precipitation reaction

HCl+K2SO3 is not a precipitation reaction because no insoluble compound is formed during this reaction.

Is HCl + K2SO3 reversible or irreversible reaction

HCl+K2SO3 is not reversible since it is difficult to reform the reaction when water and gas are formed.

Is HCl + K2SO3 displacement reaction

HCl+K2SO3 is a double displacement reaction followed by a decomposition reaction because potassium ion has been transferred from potassium sulfite and then reacted with chlorine forming a salt, and hydrogen ion displaced from HCl to form water.

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Displacement Reaction

Conclusion

The product formed during the hydrochloric acid and potassium sulfite reaction is potassium chloride, an E number additive that can be used as a substituent for sodium chloride. Potassium chloride has a wide range of utilities in fertilizers, food processing units, the medical industry, and domestic use.

Read more facts on HCl:

HCl + ZnCO3