Question

Acids react with metals to produce what?

Answer 1

Many acids will react with a metal to produce hydrogen gas and a metal salt.

Explanation:

Let's consider the example of zinc reacting with hydrochloric acid.

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

Zn(s) = solid zinc metal
HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid dissolved in water
`ZnCl_2(aq)` = zinc chloride salt dissolved in water
`H_2(g)` = hydrogen gas

As long as a metal is above hydrogen on the activity series it will react like the example shown above. Metals below hydrogen on the activity series will not react with acids.

This video discusses reactions of metals with acids and the activity series in more detail.

Hope this helps!