What type of reaction is represented by the equation #Zn(s)+H_2SO_4(aq)->ZnSO_4(aq)+H_2(g)#?

2 Answers
Mar 5, 2016

The given reaction is a type of Displacement Reaction.

Explanation:

Displacement reaction is a kind of reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its salt solution or a compound.
The reaction above is also a Single Displacement Reaction between a metal and an acid.
The comparison between reactivity is done using a reactivity series.
Reactivity series is shown below:-
NCERT

As you see Zinc lies above Hydrogen in this series, so it is more reactive and hence it displaces hydrogen in #H_2SO_4#. This results in the formation of #ZnSO_4# with the evolution of #H_2# gas (you see this had been displaced by zinc).

Mar 5, 2016

It's a redox-reaction.

Explanation:

The zinc is oxidized from #Zn->Zn^(2+)+2e^-#
The hydrogen is reduced from #2H^+ +2e^(-) -> H_2#

#H_2SO_4(aq)# is actually #2H^+ +SO_4^(2-)#
And
#ZnSO_4(aq)# is actually #Zn^(2+) +SO_4^(2-)#

Since the sulfate (#SO_4^(2+)#)-ion is unchanged (we call this a 'spectator' ion) we can leave it out of the equation:

The net equation is:
#Zn(s)+2H^+ (aq)->Zn^(2+)(aq) + H_2(g)#