Aqueous Solution of `SO_(2)` is

Options

A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Amphoteric

Answer

To determine the nature of an aqueous solution of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Nature of SO₂**:
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a non-metallic oxide. Non-metallic oxides are generally known to be acidic in nature.

2. **Reactions with Bases**:
- As an acidic oxide, SO₂ can react with bases. The general reaction of SO₂ with a base (like sodium hydroxide, NaOH) can be represented as follows:
\[ SO_2 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2SO_3 + H_2O \]
- In this reaction, sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) and water (H₂O) are formed.

3. **Formation of Aqueous Solution**:
- When SO₂ is dissolved in water, it reacts to form sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃):
\[ SO_2 + H_2O \rightarrow H_2SO_3 \]
- This indicates that the aqueous solution of SO₂ results in the formation of sulfurous acid.

4. **Acidic Properties of H₂SO₃**:
- Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃) is a weak acid that dissociates in water to produce hydrogen ions (H⁺) and sulfite ions (SO₃²⁻):
\[ H_2SO_3 \rightleftharpoons 2H^+ + SO_3^{2-} \]
- The presence of H⁺ ions indicates that the solution is acidic.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Since the concentration of H⁺ ions is higher in the solution compared to OH⁻ ions, the aqueous solution of SO₂ is classified as acidic.

### Final Answer:
The aqueous solution of SO₂ is acidic.

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