Properties Uses and Facts about Sulfur dioxide
What is Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is a compound with the chemical formula SO2. Its molecule
contains one atom of sulfur and two atoms of oxygen. Sulfur dioxide is a
very toxic gas. It is formed mainly due to burning of sulfur and volcanic
activities. Apart from this, sulfur dioxide gas is also formed during the
extraction of copper metal and burning of fossil fuels containing
sulphur.
Properties of Sulfur dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide is a very toxic gas.
- It is a colorless gas with a pungent and irritating odor similar to that of nitric acid.
- The melting point of sulfur dioxide is minus 72 degrees Celsius.
- Its boiling point is minus 10 degree Celsius.
- Sulfur dioxide has a density of 1.434 kg per cubic meter, so it is heavier than normal air.
- Sulfur dioxide gas is not flammable.
- This gas dissolves very easily in water.
- Sulfur dioxide gas reacts with water to form sulphurous acid (H2SO3).
- The possibility of acid rain increases when a large amount of sulfur dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere. Acid rain often occurs in the surrounding areas following a volcanic eruption.
- Sulfur dioxide is a gas of acidic nature.
- In the presence of moisture, this gas acts as a bleaching agent.
- Sulfur dioxide is a strong oxidizing agent.
Uses of Sulfur dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.
- Sulfur dioxide is used as a preservative for canned food.
- Sulfur dioxide gas is used in the refining of petroleum and sugar.
- It is also used as a refrigerant.
- It is also used as a general disinfectant.
- Sulfur dioxide is used as a bleaching agent to remove excess chlorine.
- Sulfur dioxide gas is also used in the manufacture of car batteries and fertilizers.
- It is used in the vulcanization of rubber.
- Sulfur dioxide gas is also used in paper pulping and paper bleaching.
- Sulfur dioxide is used in the production of cement.
- Sulfur dioxide gas is used in the production of insecticides and some types of gunpowder.
How is sulfur dioxide gas made
Sulfur dioxide gas can also be produced by heating metal sulphides at high
temperature like :-
- Ferric oxide and sulfur dioxide gas are formed on heating iron sulphide. FeS2 + O2 + Heat = Fe2O3 + SO2
- On heating zinc sulphide, zinc oxide and sulfur dioxide gas are formed. ZnS + O2 + Heat = ZnO + SO2
- Apart from these, a large amount of sulfur dioxide gas is produced by the combustion of petroleum products, and a large amount of sulfur dioxide gas is also emitted due to volcanic eruptions.
Detailed Information on Some other Gases
- Hydrogen Properties Uses and Other Details
- Phosphine (PH3) Properties Uses and other information
- Oxygen Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Helium Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Neon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Argon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Xenon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Krypton Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Radon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
- Fluorine Gas | Properties | Uses | and Facts
- Chlorine Gas | Properties | Uses | and Facts
- Nitrogen | Properties | Uses | and Facts
- Methane Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
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