50cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution was titrated against a solution of sulfuric acid. The concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution was 20g/dm3. Work out the concentration of the acid in grams per litre if it took 25cm3 of acid to completely neutralise the alkali. The relative molecular mass of sulfuric acid is 98.

49 g/L is the concentration of the acid

Explanation:

Firstly, we proceed to write the equation of reaction.

2NaOH + H2SO4 - --> Na2SO4 + 2H2O

We can see that 1 mole of the base reacted with two moles of the acid.

kindly note that dm^3 is same as liter

Firstly, we need to get the concentration of the reacted sulphuric acid in g/L

we use the simple titration equation below;

CaVa/CbVb = Na/Nb

From the question;

Ca = ?

Va = 25 cm^3

Cb = 20 g/L

we convert this to concentration in mol/L

Mathematically, that is concentration in g/L divided by molar mass in g/mole

molar mass of NaOH = 40 g/mol

so we have; 20g/L / 40 = 0.5 mol/L

Vb = 50 cm^3

Na = 1

Nb = 2

Where C represents concentrations, V volumes and N, number of moles

Now, substitute the values;

Ca * 25/0.5 * 50 = 1/2

25Ca/25 = 0.5

So Ca = 0.5 mol/L

Now to get the concentration of H2SO4 in g/L

What we do is to multiply the concentration in mol/L by molar mass in g/mol

That would be 0.5 * 98 = 49 g/L