Question

What happens when hydrogen reacts with zinc oxide?

Answer 1

Zinc oxide does not react with hydrogen as it is a non-spontaneous process.

Non-Spontaneous process: The process which does not occur on its own and external energy is required for this reaction to take place.

• The reaction can take place in the presence of electrical energy (external energy), and the process is known as electrolysis.

In presence of electrical energy,

ZnO(s) + H₂(g) $\stackrel{\mathrm{Electrical}\mathrm{energy}}{\to }$ Zn(s) + H₂O(g)