Question

Which metal is used to prepare Hydrogen in the laboratory?

Answer 1

Laboratory preparation of Hydrogen$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$:

• Hydrogen is prepared in the laboratory by the action of dilute Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ or dilute Sulphuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ on granulated zinc$\left(\mathrm{Zn}\right)$.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{dil}.\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{chloride}\mathrm{Hydrogen} \\ \mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{ZnSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{dil}.\mathrm{Sulphuric}\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{sulphate}\mathrm{Hydrogen} \\ \mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore Zinc metal is used to prepare Hydrogen in the laboratory.