Question

$Zn+H_{2}S{O}_4\to$ a gas
If we bring a burning splinter near the gas produced in the given reaction, it burns with a pop sound. The gas is:

• A. $O_2$
• B. $N_2$
• C. $H_2$
• D. $C{O}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $H_2$

When acids react with metals, they produce a salt and hydrogen gas. Most metals react with acids, but not all. The general equation that describes the chemical reaction between an acid and metal is metal + acid = salt + hydrogen gas.

This type of chemical reaction is known as a single displacement reaction, where an element displaces another in a compound. The hydrogen in acids is displaced by the metals to produce hydrogen gas.

The two common acids are sulfuric acid ($H_{2}S{O}_4$) and hydrochloric acid ($HCl$). The most active metals are magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb). The most inactive metals are copper (Cu), silver (Ag) and gold (Au).