Metal and acid (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy) : Revision Note
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Reactions of acids with metals
Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series will react with dilute acids
Therefore copper can not react with acids
The more reactive the metal then the more vigorous the reaction will be
Metals that are placed high on the reactivity series such as potassium and sodium are very dangerous and react explosively with acids
When acids react with metals they form a salt and hydrogen gas:
The general equation is:
metal + acid ⟶ salt + hydrogen
Some examples of metal-acid reactions and their equations are given below:
Table of acid-metal reactions
Metal | Sulfuric acid | Hydrochloric acid |
|---|---|---|
Magnesium | Mg (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → MgSO4 (aq) + H2 (g) | Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) |
Zinc | Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g) | Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) |
Iron | Fe (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → FeSO4 (aq) + H2 (g) | Fe (s) + 2HCl (aq) → FeCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Sulfuric acid reacts with metals and produces sulfate salts while hydrochloric acid produces chloride salts.
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