Sciencemadness Discussion Board

what does 2N HCL mean?

Db33 - 4-3-2017 at 16:31

i have an outline for a procedure, but instead of saying a certain amount i just says add 2N HCL.... assuming im using 31.45% Hydrochloric acid, how much is this? Can it be calculated?

DraconicAcid - 4-3-2017 at 16:50

2 N is 2 mol/L. That's a concentration, not a quantity.

A Halogenated Substance - 4-3-2017 at 17:00

The "N" part is based upon how many specific ions are released into solution.

For example, if you're focusing on the H3O+ ion, a 2N HCl means that there are 2 moles of HCl in solution to release 2 moles of H+

A 2N H2SO4 solution would have a mole of H2SO4 molecules releasing 2 moles of H+ ions as H2SO4 has two hydrogen atoms attached to it when not dissolved in water.

Sorry if this doesn't clarify much.

Deathunter88 - 4-3-2017 at 17:04

Look up "equivalent concentration". Here is wikipedia to get you started. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalent_concentration

DraconicAcid - 4-3-2017 at 17:08

Quote: Originally posted by A Halogenated Substance  
The "N" part is based upon how many specific ions are released into solution.

For example, if you're focusing on the H3O+ ion, a 2N HCl means that there are 2 moles of HCl in solution to release 2 moles of H+

A 2N H2SO4 solution would have a mole of H2SO4 molecules releasing 2 moles of H+ ions as H2SO4 has two hydrogen atoms attached to it when not dissolved in water.

Sorry if this doesn't clarify much.


No, it's not 2 moles, but 2 moles PER LITRE. it's a concentration, not a quantity.

Db33 - 4-3-2017 at 17:35

so is there anyway to figure out how much is needed for a particular reaction if it just says 2N ?

DraconicAcid - 4-3-2017 at 19:16

Can you post the outline?

Betta - 6-3-2017 at 20:46

Quote: Originally posted by Db33  
so is there anyway to figure out how much is needed for a particular reaction if it just says 2N ?


It is a monoprotic acid, so there can't be a difference. You would have to look for the specific reaction if it were sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid.