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remaa
Jun 1, 2009, 03:03 PM
Hi, explain the reaction of zinc with acids?
Thanks

Perito
Jun 1, 2009, 04:48 PM
Have you looked up the reaction?

Basically, it's a "redox" reaction. Zinc is oxidized (it loses electrons):

Zn \rightleftharpoons Zn^{+2} + 2e^-

Something else must be reduced. In this case, it's the hydrogen ions in the acid:

2H^+ + 2e^- \rightleftharpoons H_2

Adding the equations gives the total reaction:

Zn + 2H^+ \rightarrow H_2(g) + Zn^{+2}

Zinc and many other metals react with acids to 1) dissolve the metal and 2) generate hydrogen.