Solid zinc metal reacts with sulfuric acid to form hydrogen gas and an aqueous solution of zinc sulfate. Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g) Reactants Products Zn 1 Zn 1 H 2 S 1 S 1 O 4 O 4 H 2 Single displacement and redox reaction Is this correct?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Yes, this is correct. The reaction you’ve provided is a single displacement reaction, as zinc displaces hydrogen from sulfuric acid, and it is also a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction.
1. Single Displacement Reaction:
In a single displacement reaction, one element replaces another in a compound. In this case, zinc (Zn) replaces hydrogen (H) in sulfuric acid (H2SO4), resulting in the formation of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and hydrogen gas (H2). The general form of a single displacement reaction is:
A+BC→AC+BA + BC \to AC + BA+BC→AC+B
Here, zinc (Zn) replaces hydrogen (H) from sulfuric acid (H2SO4), producing zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and hydrogen gas (H2).
2. Redox Reaction:
This is also a redox reaction because both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
- Oxidation (Loss of Electrons): Zinc (Zn) undergoes oxidation. Zinc metal loses two electrons to form zinc ions (Zn²⁺). This is the oxidation half-reaction:
Zn(s)→Zn2+(aq)+2e−\text{Zn}(s) \to \text{Zn}^{2+}(aq) + 2e^-Zn(s)→Zn2+(aq)+2e−
- Reduction (Gain of Electrons): The hydrogen ions (H⁺) from sulfuric acid are reduced. These hydrogen ions gain electrons to form hydrogen gas (H2). This is the reduction half-reaction:
2H+(aq)+2e−→H2(g)2H^+(aq) + 2e^- \to H_2(g)2H+(aq)+2e−→H2(g)
Thus, zinc (Zn) is oxidized (loses electrons) and hydrogen ions (H⁺) are reduced (gain electrons).
3. Balanced Equation:
The overall balanced equation, taking both half-reactions into account, is:Zn(s)+H2SO4(aq)→ZnSO4(aq)+H2(g)\text{Zn}(s) + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4(aq) \to \text{ZnSO}_4(aq) + \text{H}_2(g)Zn(s)+H2SO4(aq)→ZnSO4(aq)+H2(g)
Conclusion:
The reaction is both a single displacement reaction (since zinc displaces hydrogen) and a redox reaction (since oxidation and reduction occur). Therefore, the classification you provided is accurate.
