How Do You Spell SULPHUROUS ACID?

Pronunciation: [sˈʌlfəɹəs ˈasɪd] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "sulphurous acid" may seem confusing, especially with the use of the letter "p" in place of "f". The reason for this lies in the historical development of the English language, where words related to chemistry were often borrowed from other languages. "Sulphurous" comes from the Latin "sulphur" and the spelling was influenced by the French "soufre". The IPA phonetic transcription for "sulphurous acid" is /ˈsʌlfjərəs ˈæsɪd/.

SULPHUROUS ACID Meaning and Definition

1. Sulphurous acid is a chemical compound with the formula H2SO3. It is a weak acid that is often encountered in various industrial applications and can also be formed when sulphur dioxide (SO2) dissolves in water. The compound consists of two hydrogens bonded to a central sulphur atom, which is in turn double-bonded to an oxygen atom, and single-bonded to an additional oxygen atom.

   In terms of its physical properties, sulphurous acid is a colorless liquid that is soluble in water. It is known for its distinctive, pungent odor resembling that of burning matches or rotten eggs, which is a characteristic feature of sulphur-containing compounds. This odor is often used as a safety measure in industries as it provides early detection of the presence of sulphurous acid.

   Chemically, sulphurous acid is a reducing agent, which means it can donate electrons to other substances during a chemical reaction. It also acts as a mild bleach, possessing the ability to remove color from various organic compounds. Moreover, sulphurous acid is known to possess antimicrobial properties, making it useful in certain disinfection applications.

   Due to its instability and tendency to decompose into water and sulphur dioxide, sulphurous acid is usually prepared in situ when required for specific reactions. It is commonly used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and as a bleaching agent in various industries. Sulphurous acid is also used as a preservative in certain food products and beverages.

2. Acidum sulphurosum.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. An acid formed and evolved in fumes from sulphur when burned in air.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SULPHUROUS ACID

• sulphurous abid
• sulphurous acyd
• sulphurous acad
• sulphurous acmd
• sulphurous achd
• sulphurous acit
• sulphurous acil
• s ulphurous acid
• su lphurous acid
• sulph urous acid
• sulphu rous acid
• sulphur ous acid
• sulphuro us acid
• sulphurou s acid
• sulphurous a cid
• sulphurous ac id
• sulphurous aci d

Etymology of SULPHUROUS ACID

The word "sulphurous acid" is derived from the Latin word "sulphur", which means "sulfur". The term "acid" originates from the Latin word "acidus", meaning "sour". Hence, "sulphurous acid" refers to an acid composed of sulfur.