Why does zinc increase in mass after being placed in NaOH?

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Answer 1 · 2017-06-28T03:53:07

Because of formation of the zincate species, ${[Z n {(O H)}_{4}]}_{4}^{2 -}$ $[Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)$ ...

Zinc metal is quite active, and can be oxidized under either acidic or basic conditions......

$Oxidation.....:$ $"Oxidation.....:"$

$Z n (s) \to Z n^{2 +} + 2 e^{-}$ $Zn(s) rarr Zn^(2+) + 2e^(-)$

$Reduction.....:$ $"Reduction.....:"$

$H_{2} O + e^{-} \to \frac{1}{2} H_{2} ↑ ⏐ ⏐ ⏐ + H O^{-}$ $H_2O + e^(-)rarr 1/2H_2uarr+HO^-$

$Overall.....$ $"Overall....."$

$Z n (s) + 2 H_{2} O (l) + 2 H O^{-} \to H_{2} (g) + {[Z n {(O H)}_{4}]}_{4}^{2 -}$ $Zn(s) + 2H_2O(l) +2HO^(-) rarr H_2(g) + [Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)$