Which name correctly identifies the compound H_2SO_4 when dissolved in water?

• A. Hydrosulfuric acid
• B. Sulfurous acid
• C. Sulfur oxide
• D. Sulfuric acid

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the chemical formula given, which is H_2SO_4. This is the molecular formula of the compound in question.
2. Step 2: Recognize that when H_2SO_4 dissolves in water, it forms an acid. The naming of acids depends on the anion part of the compound.
3. Step 3: Understand that the anion here is SO_4^{2-}, which is called sulfate. When naming acids derived from oxyanions, the suffix '-ate' changes to '-ic' and the prefix 'hydro-' is not used.
4. Step 4: Therefore, the acid formed from sulfate (SO_4^{2-}) is named sulfuric acid, not hydrosulfuric acid (which corresponds to H_2S) or sulfurous acid (which corresponds to H_2SO_3).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct name for H_2SO_4 in aqueous solution is sulfuric acid.