I have to write the balanced equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc metal.I came to the answer of:
HCl+Zn(s)-->H(g)+ ZnCl
Can someone tell me if this is the correct balanced equation for this reaction?
No it isn't but it's close.
The gas hydrogen occurs as diatomic molecules and zinc chloride has the formula ZnCl2.
Zn + 2HCl ==> H2 + Zn Cl2
To determine the balanced equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and zinc (Zn) metal, you need to consider the conservation of mass. Here's how you can go about it:
1. Identify the reactants and products: The reactants are HCl and Zn, while the products are H2 and ZnCl2.
2. Write the unbalanced equation: HCl + Zn --> H2 + ZnCl2
3. Balance the equation: Begin by balancing the elements that appear in only one compound on each side of the equation. In this case, H and Zn are present in only one compound on each side. To balance hydrogen, add a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl on the reactant side:
2HCl + Zn --> H2 + ZnCl2
Now, both hydrogen and chlorine atoms are balanced. However, the equation is still unbalanced for zinc atoms. To balance them, add a coefficient of 1 in front of Zn on the product side:
2HCl + Zn --> H2 + ZnCl2
Now, both sides of the equation have an equal number of atoms for each element, and the equation is balanced.
So, the correct balanced equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc metal is:
2HCl + Zn --> H2 + ZnCl2