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Question

Zinc liberates hydrogen gas when reacted with dilute hydrochloric acid, whereas copper does not. Explain why?


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Solution

Zinc is more reactive than hydrogen because it is positioned above hydrogen in the metal activity series, whereas copper is below hydrogen.

As a result, zinc interacts with dilute hydrochloric acid HCl but copper does not.

Zinc reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid:

  • Zinc is more reactive than hydrogen, it reacts with hydrochloric acid to release hydrogen gas and hence displace it.
  • Zinc quickly interacts with acid to form hydrogen bubbles.
  • It is a single displacement reaction in which hydrogen is replaced by zinc metal, resulting in the formation of hydrogen gas and the salt zinc chloride.
  • Because the process is exothermic, it generates heat.
  • Zn(s)+HCl(l)H2(g)+ZnCl2(s)+heatZinc+HydrogenchlorideHydrogen+Zincchloride+Heat

Copper reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid:

  • Copper is less reactive than hydrogen and thus cannot substitute it.

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