. Classify the reaction between zinc and acetic acid and explain, in general terms, what happens during this type of reaction.
would the type of reaction be a single replacement ??
To determine the type of reaction between zinc and acetic acid, we can follow the general guidelines for classifying chemical reactions.
1. Start by writing down the balanced chemical equation for the reaction:
Zinc (Zn) + Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) → Zinc Acetate (Zn(CH3COO)2) + Hydrogen Gas (H2)
2. Next, analyze the reaction to examine the changes in oxidation states and the transfer of electrons. In this case, zinc (Zn) loses two electrons, going from an oxidation state of 0 to +2, while hydrogen (H) gains one electron, going from an oxidation state of 0 to +1.
3. Based on the analysis, we can conclude that this reaction is a single-replacement reaction, also known as a displacement reaction. It is categorized as a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction since there is a transfer of electrons between the reactants.
4. During this type of reaction, the zinc atoms are oxidized, meaning they lose electrons, and hydrogen ions in acetic acid are reduced, meaning they gain electrons. The zinc atoms replace the hydrogen atoms in the acetic acid, forming zinc acetate (Zn(CH3COO)2) and liberating hydrogen gas (H2) as a byproduct.
So, in summary, the reaction between zinc and acetic acid is a single-replacement reaction, where zinc displaces hydrogen in acetic acid to form zinc acetate and hydrogen gas, with a transfer of electrons occurring in the process.