Will zinc metal react with dilute sulfuric acid?

Question

Accepted Answer

From Table 17.2, we see that zinc is above hydrogen; therefore, zinc atoms will lose electrons more readily than hydrogen atoms. Hence zinc atoms will reduce hydrogen ions from the acid to form hydrogen gas and zinc ions. In fact, these reagents are commonly used for the laboratory preparation of hydrogen. The equation is

Zn(s) + $H_2SO_4$ (aq)→ $ZnSO_4$ (aq) + $H_2$ (g)

Zn(s) + 2 $H^+$ (aq)→ $Zn^{2+}$ (aq) + $H_2$ (g) (net ionic equation)

Zn(s) + [latex]H_2SO_4[/latex](aq)→[latex]ZnSO_4[/latex](aq) + [latex]H_2[/latex](g)

Zn(s) + 2 [latex]H^+[/latex](aq)→[latex]Zn^{2+}[/latex](aq) + [latex]H_2[/latex](g) (net ionic equation)

Question 17.12: Will zinc metal react with dilute sulfuric acid?

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