What does the formula H2SO4 tell you?

Answer 1

AnswerIn H2SO4, the H indicates that the substance is an acid and SO4 is the chemical formula for the polyatomic ion Sulfate. it is H2 because sulfate has a negative two which you cross over to the hydrogen (sulfate is still SO4 because Hydrogen has +1 charge which just makes it 4x1 look up the rules of naming chemicals for more info). Also, as it is Sulfuric Acid, we know that there is Sulfurous Acid, made from the polyatomic ion Sulfite (SO3). Finally, we know the shape of the Acid's structure.

http://www.globalwarmingart.com/images/thumb/9/93/Sulfuric_Acid_Molecule_Formula.png/250px-Sulfuric_Acid_Molecule_Formula.png

The reason it is why it forms this shape is kind of complex: we know that there are 32 valence electrons brought to the formula (6 for the Sulfur, and 6 for every Oxygen, and 1 for each Hydrogen). We also know that S and O need an Octet to satisfy their configurations. First, we assume that the Oxygens bond to the Sulfur with single (or Sigma) bonds (because that is what is most likely). We then see that there are eight valence electrons are provided (two per bond) for the Sulfur. That leaves 24 valence electrons. We then Sigma bond each H to an O. That satisfies the two electon rule for H. Considering the four electrons unbonded on the Os of the OH groups, we can subtract eight more electrons from the total, leaving 16. We can also subtract two electrons from each O-H bond, leaving 12. That means, there should be 12 electrons divided between the non-OH Os evenly, or six per. Wait a moment: That means that each O that is not bonded to an H has only 7 electrons. That means that a double (or Pi) bond is formed for each of them with Sulfur. That means Sulfur has 12 electrons bonded with it.
How does this work? In actuality, the double-bonded Os are the only "real" bonds that the S has. As they are strongly electronegative, they form a "bent" shape, and have a partial positive charge on the side opposite their location relative to the Sulfur atom. It is there that two OH- groups can have a "bond" of sorts and stay together.

Answer 2

The formula H2SO4 represents sulfuric acid, which is a strong acid commonly used in various industrial processes like manufacturing fertilizers and batteries. The formula tells you that each molecule of sulfuric acid contains 2 atoms of hydrogen, 1 atom of sulfur, and 4 atoms of oxygen.

Answer 3

Sulfuric acid

Answer 4

sulfuric acid !

Answer 5

That it's altamate