Question

Write word equations and chemical equations for the following:
(a) reaction of zinc with sulphuric acid
(b) reaction of magnesium with sulphuric acid
(c) reaction of aluminium with hydrochloric acid

Answer 1

(a) When sulphuric acid is added to zinc, zinc reacts with sulphuric acid forming zinc sulphate, liberating hydrogen gas.

$\mathrm{Zn}+{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\underset{}{\overset{}{\to }}\mathrm{Z}{\mathrm{nSO}}_4+{\mathrm{H}}_2$


(b) When sulphuric acid is added to magnesium, magnesium reacts with sulphuric acid forming magnesium sulphate, liberating hydrogen gas.

$\mathrm{Mg}+H_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\underset{}{\overset{}{\to }}{\mathrm{MgSO}}_4+H_2$

(c) When hydrochloric acid is added to aluminium, aluminium reacts with hydrochloric acid forming aluminium chloride, liberating hydrogen gas.

$2\mathrm{Al}+6\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}\to 2{\mathrm{AlCl}}_3+3{\mathrm{H}}_2$