Sulphur dioxide



         


Chemical formula SO2 Appearance Colourless gas

Physical

Formula weight 64.1 amu Melting point 198 K (-75 °C) Boiling point 263 K (-10 °C) Density 1.4 ×103 kg/m3 (liquid) Solubility 9.4 g in 100g water

Thermochemistry

ΔfH0gas -296.84 kJ/mol ΔfH0liquid ? kJ/mol ΔfH0solid ? kJ/mol S0gas, 1 bar 248.21 J/mol·K S0liquid, 1 bar ? J/mol·K S0solid ? J/mol·K

Safety

Ingestion Relatively low toxicity, may cause nausea and vomiting. Long term hazards known. Inhalation Extreme irritation. Skin Hazardous when cryogenic or compressed. Eyes Hazardous when cryogenic or compressed. More info

SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Disclaimer and references

Sulfur dioxide (spelt in British English Sulphur dioxide) has the chemical formula SO2. The gas is irritant to the lungs and is frequently described as smelling of rotten eggs.

It is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. In particular, poor-quality coal and petroleum contains sulfur compounds, and generate sulfur dioxide when burned: the gas reacts with water and atmospheric oxygen to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3) - and thus Acid rain.

Sulfur dioxide is sometimes used as a food additive, particularly as a preservative in alcoholic drinks.

The word equation for acid rain is:

sulfur dioxide + water -> hydrogen sulfite

H2SO3 is also called "hydrogen sulfite".

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