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What happens when an acid reacts with a metal?
What happens when an acid reacts with a metal? Explain with the help of suitable examples.
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1 Reply
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The reaction between an acid and a metal gives salt of the metal and hydrogen gas.
It follows the equation:
metal + acid —-> salt + hydrogen gas
A few metals react violently with acids, while some of them do not even react. Most of them show moderate reactions.
Metals like sodium and potassium react violently with dilute acids.
Na + HCl—–> NaCl + H2
K + HCl —–> KCl + H2
Metals like Calcium, magnesium and aluminium show rapid bubbling reactions. However, Al shows slower bubbling in the beginning.
Zinc and iron also react with dilute acids but with slow bubbling. However, platinum, gold and silver do not show reactions with dilute acids.
Examples:
Zn + 2HCl—–> ZnCl2 + H2
Mg + 2HCl—–> MgCl2 + H2
Fe + 2HCl—–> FeCl2 + H2
These were a few examples. I hope this helps.