Question:

Identify the product when sulfur dioxide reacts with sodium hydroxide solution.

Show Hint

Sulfur dioxide is an acidic oxide, so a base neutralises it to give a salt in which sulfur stays in the +4 state.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2026
  • Sodium sulfite
  • Sodium sulfate
  • Sodium hydrogen sulfate
  • Sodium hydrogen sulfite
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
\(\text{SO}_2\) is an acidic oxide. With an alkali it forms a salt and water, just as an acid would.

Step 2: Write the reaction
With sodium hydroxide solution:
\(\text{SO}_2 + 2\text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O}\)

Step 3: Oxidation state of sulfur
Sulfur is \(+4\) in \(\text{SO}_2\) and stays \(+4\) in the product. A sulfate would need sulfur in the \(+6\) state, which cannot form here.

Step 4: Choose the option
The hydrogen sulfite \(\text{NaHSO}_3\) appears only when \(\text{SO}_2\) is in excess. With NaOH the normal salt, sodium sulfite, is formed.

Final Answer:
The product is sodium sulfite. \[ \boxed{\text{(A) }\text{Sodium sulfite}} \]
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