Hydrochloric acid is added to a beaker containing a piece if zinc. As a result,zinc chloride is formed and hydrogen gas is released. This is an example of ?
A chemical reaction because hydrochloric acid is a chemical where it can change things.
This is an example of a chemical reaction called a single replacement reaction. In this reaction, zinc (Zn) replaces hydrogen (H) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
This is an example of a chemical reaction known as a single replacement or displacement reaction. In this reaction, the more reactive element, zinc, replaces the less reactive element, hydrogen, in the compound.
To find this information, we need to understand the reaction types and look for clues in the given information.
1. Start by identifying the given reactants and products in the reaction:
- Reactant 1: Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Reactant 2: Zinc (Zn)
- Product 1: Zinc chloride (ZnCl2)
- Product 2: Hydrogen gas (H2)
2. Analyze the reaction to determine the type:
- In a single replacement reaction, an element displaces another element in a compound.
- In this case, zinc (Zn) displaces the hydrogen (H) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
3. The reaction can be represented by the chemical equation:
Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
Therefore, the reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with zinc (Zn) is an example of a single replacement or displacement reaction.