Sulfuric Acid's Common Industrial Use

Steps:

• Recall sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a strong diprotic acid produced via the Contact process.
• Evaluate manufacturing: Contact process involves burning sulfur to SO₂, then SO₃ with water, not direct heating of H₂, O₂, S.
• Check uses: Primary applications include batteries, fertilizers, and chemicals; not detergents or soil primarily.
• Confirm battery role: H₂SO₄ serves as electrolyte in lead-acid batteries.

Why B is correct:

• Sulfuric acid is the key electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, providing H⁺ ions for the electrochemical reaction: Pb + SO₄²⁻ → PbSO₄ + 2e⁻.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Incorrect; it's made by the Contact process (S + O₂ → SO₂, then 2SO₂ + O₂ → 2SO₃, SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄), not heating H₂, O₂, S.
• C: Detergents are alkaline surfactants for cleaning; acids like H₂SO₄ corrode and are unsafe for this.
• D: Alkaline soils are neutralized with acids, but H₂SO₄ is not standard; elemental sulfur or gypsum is preferred to avoid soil damage.

Final answer: B