Which is the most preferred metal in the laboratory for preparation of hydrogen by the metal-acid reaction?
Zinc
Zinc (Zn) is the most preferred metal in the laboratory because metals like potassium (K) and sodium (Na) react violently with acid because of their high reactivity. Also, unlike zinc, metals like magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are expensive. Thus, overall, zinc is the most preferred metal in the laboratory to prepare hydrogen by means of metals reacting with acids.