What is the resulting gas that is formed when zinc reacts with diluted hydrochloric acid?
When zinc reacts with diluted hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride is formed and hydrogen gas is released. The equation for the reaction is given below.
Zn+2HCl→ZnCl2+H2↑
Hence, the gas released in this reaction is hydrogen gas.
Note: Zinc can react with concentrated hydrochloric acid as well but the reaction is highly exothermic that is a large amount of heat is produced in the reaction. Therefore for safety purposes dilute hydrochloric acid is used.