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.