MCQ Detailed View

The term “Oil of Vitriol” is the old, historical name for the chemical compound Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄). This name was first used in the 8th century by the famous Muslim chemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber), who is often regarded as the father of modern chemistry. He prepared this strong acid by heating minerals such as iron sulfate and copper sulfate, and the oily, viscous liquid that resulted was called “oil of vitriol.”Sulphuric Acid is one of the most important industrial chemicals in the world today. It is a dense, colorless, and highly corrosive liquid. Its chemical formula is H₂SO₄, and it has strong acidic and oxidizing properties. Because of these characteristics, it is widely used in different industries.

Some of the main uses of sulphuric acid include:

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  Fertilizer Production: It is used to make phosphate fertilizers like superphosphate.

  
  


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  Petroleum Refining: It helps in the removal of impurities from fuels.

  
  


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  Chemical Manufacturing: It is used in the preparation of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and synthetic detergents.

  
  


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  Batteries: It is the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, which are commonly used in vehicles.

  
  


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  Metal Processing: It is used in cleaning metals before plating or coating.

  
  

The name “oil of vitriol” comes from the Latin word vitriolum, meaning “glassy,” because sulphate salts have a glass-like appearance. Although the old name is rarely used in modern chemistry, it still appears in historical texts.

In summary, the chemical name of Oil of Vitriol is Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄). Its discovery and uses mark an important part of chemistry, and its applications make it one of the most produced and consumed industrial chemicals in the world.