During today’s experiment we will produce hydrogen gas (H2) using zinc metal (Zn(s)) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Which is a balanced net ionic equation illustrating this process?
A. Zn (s) + 2 HCl (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g) + 2 Cl- (aq)
B. Zn (s) + 2 H+ (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g)
C. Zn (s) + 2 H+ (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + 2 NaCl (aq)
D. Zn (s) + 2 HCl (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + HCl (aq)
Hint:
1. eliminate equations that are not ionic.
2. for the remainder, eliminate unbalanced equation(s).
Great hints.
2.3
To determine the balanced net ionic equation for the production of hydrogen gas using zinc metal and hydrochloric acid, we need to understand the reaction that occurs between the two.
The reaction between zinc metal (Zn) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) can be represented by the following overall equation:
Zn (s) + 2 HCl (aq) --> ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
In this reaction, zinc metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2) is produced.
However, the question asks specifically for the net ionic equation, which shows only the species involved in the reaction (in their respective ionic forms) and excludes spectator ions. Spectator ions are ions that are present in the reaction but do not participate in the actual chemical reaction.
So let's break down the reaction into its ionic components:
Zn (s) + 2 H+ (aq) + 2 Cl- (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + 2 Cl- (aq) + H2 (g)
In this net ionic equation, the zinc metal (Zn) is oxidized to form zinc ions (Zn2+), while the hydrogen ions (H+) from the hydrochloric acid are reduced to form hydrogen gas (H2). The chloride ions (Cl-) are spectator ions and do not participate in the actual reaction.
Therefore, the balanced net ionic equation for the production of hydrogen gas using zinc metal and hydrochloric acid is:
B. Zn (s) + 2 H+ (aq) --> Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g)