Question

How do you write an equation for the reaction between zinc metal and hydrochloric acid (aqueous) producing zinc chloride (aqueous) and hydrogen gas?

Answer 1

`Zn(s)+2HCl(aq)->ZnCl_2(aq)+H_2(g)`

Explanation:

The net reaction is `Zn(s)+2H^+(aq) ->Zn^(2+)(aq)+H_2(g)`
The `Cl^-` ions are spectators - they don't change.

This experiment includes the reaction of zinc with hydrochloric acid. The experiment compares reactivity of three metals; magnesium, zinc and copper. The video includes a discussion of writing balanced equations for all the observed reactions.