What Happens When Zinc Reacts with Dilute Sulphuric Acid?

When zinc reacts with dilute sulphuric acid, a chemical reaction occurs that produces hydrogen gas and zinc sulphate. This is a common example of a single displacement reaction.

This reaction is typically observed as fizzing or bubbling, which indicates the release of a gas. Zinc, a relatively reactive metal, displaces hydrogen from the dilute acid solution, forming a salt (zinc sulphate) and releasing hydrogen gas.

The Chemical Process

The reaction between zinc (Zn) and dilute sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) can be represented by the following balanced chemical equation:

Zn(s) + H₂SO₄(aq) → ZnSO₄(aq) + H₂(g)

• (s) denotes the solid state (zinc metal)
• (aq) denotes an aqueous solution (sulphuric acid dissolved in water, and zinc sulphate dissolved in water)
• (g) denotes the gaseous state (hydrogen gas)

Products of the Reaction

As stated by the reference, the reaction yields two primary products:

• Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO₄): This is a salt that remains dissolved in the water, forming an aqueous solution. It's a white crystalline solid when isolated.
• Hydrogen Gas (H₂): This is a colourless, odourless, and highly flammable gas that is seen bubbling out of the solution.

Observable Insights

When performing this reaction in a laboratory setting, you would typically observe:

• Bubbles forming on the surface of the zinc metal and rising through the acid solution – this is the hydrogen gas.
• The zinc metal dissolving over time as it reacts.
• Potentially a slight increase in temperature, as this reaction is exothermic (releases heat).

Reactants and Products Summary

Here's a simple table summarizing the key components:

This straightforward reaction is a fundamental concept taught in introductory chemistry, illustrating how a reactive metal can react with an acid to produce a salt and hydrogen gas.