Give a reason to support that sulphuric acid is a dehydrating agent.

Explanation

Sulphuric acid is highly soluble in water and has strong affinity towards water and hence it can be used as a dehydrating agent. When dissolved in water it forms mono `(H_(2)SO_(4).H_(2)O)` and di `(H_(2)SO_(4).2H_(2)O)` hydrates and the reaction is exothermic.
The dehydration property can also be illustrated by its reaction with organic compounds such as sugar, oxalic acid and formic acid.
`underset(("Sucrose"))(C_(12)H_(22)O_(11))+H_(2)SO_(4) rarr 12C+H_(2)SO_(4).11H_(2)O`
`underset(("Formic acid"))(HCOOH)+H_(2)SO_(4) rarr CO+H_(2)SO_(4).H_(2)O`
`underset(("Oxalic acid"))((COOH)_(2))+H_(2)SO_(4) rarr CO+CO_(2)+H_(2)SO_(4).H_(2)O`