Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when –
(a) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules.
(b) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon.
(c) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder.
(d) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filings.
The reaction between dilute sulfuric acid and zinc granules produces zinc sulfate and hydrogen gas. The word equation is: Sulfuric acid + Zinc → Zinc sulfate + Hydrogen. The balanced chemical equation is: H₂SO₄(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnSO₄(aq) + H₂(g).
Word Equation:
Sulfuric acid + Zinc → Zinc sulfate + Hydrogen
Balanced Chemical Equation:
H₂SO₄(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnSO₄(aq) + H₂(g) . (b) The word equation for the reaction of dilute hydrochloric acid with magnesium ribbon is “magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen”. The balanced equation is “2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)”.
Explanation
In this reaction, hydrochloric acid is reduced, meaning it accepts electrons to form hydrogen gas. Magnesium is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons to form magnesium cations in the salt.
Related reactions
Other reactions that involve hydrochloric acid include:
Dilute hydrochloric acid reacting with iron filings to form ferric chloride and hydrogen
Dilute hydrochloric acid reacting with aluminum powder to form aluminum chloride and hydrogen
Dilute sulfuric acid reacting with zinc granules to form zinc sulfate and hydrogen
Dilute sulfuric acid reacting with aluminum powder to form aluminum sulfate and hydrogen. (c) The word equation for the reaction of dilute sulfuric acid with aluminum powder is: Aluminium + Dilute Sulfuric Acid → Aluminium Sulfate + Hydrogen Gas. The balanced chemical equation is: 2Al(s) + 3H₂SO₄(aq) → Al₂(SO₄)₃(aq) + 3H₂(g). (d) When dilute Hydrochloric acid is added to iron filings, iron chloride & hydrogen gas are produced. In this reaction, iron displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid to form iron chloride and hydrogen gas. The reaction can be represented as: Fe + 2HCl⟶FeCl2 + H2