Uploaded October 2012 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Concentrated sulfuric acid is spilled on cotton and paper which is composed of cellulose; the cellulose reacts to give a burnt appearance, the carbon appears much as soot would in a fire. The carbon will smell strongly of caramel due to the heat generated. Although less dramatic, the action of the acid on cotton, even in diluted form, will destroy the fabric.
(C6H10O5)n + sulfuric acid → 6n C + 5n H2O
The same happens in reaction with Polyethylene terephthalate or PET, simple plastic bottle meterial. PET is more inert, so more heat is needed to reaction to eventuate.
(C10H8O4)n + sulfuric acid → 10n C + 4n H2O
Video requested by hepiembe.
What should be next to react with conc H2SO4 ? Leave a comment!
Concentrated sulfuric acid is spilled on cotton and paper which is composed of cellulose; the cellulose reacts to give a burnt appearance, the carbon appears much as soot would in a fire. The carbon will smell strongly of caramel due to the heat generated. Although less dramatic, the action of the acid on cotton, even in diluted form, will destroy the fabric.
(C6H10O5)n + sulfuric acid → 6n C + 5n H2O
The same happens in reaction with Polyethylene terephthalate or PET, simple plastic bottle meterial. PET is more inert, so more heat is needed to reaction to eventuate.
(C10H8O4)n + sulfuric acid → 10n C + 4n H2O
Video requested by hepiembe.
What should be next to react with conc H2SO4 ? Leave a comment!
