Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid

Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2

Overview

Zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid to produce zinc sulfate and hydrogen gas. This is a straightforward single replacement reaction used in laboratory hydrogen generation. Zinc granules dissolve steadily with visible gas evolution.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Zinc Zn 1 (s)
Reactant Sulfuric Acid H₂SO₄ 1 (aq)
Product Hydrogen H 1 (g)
Product Zinc Sulfate ZnSO₄ 1 (aq)

Everyday Example

Zinc galvanization protects steel from corrosion partly because zinc preferentially reacts with environmental acids instead of the underlying iron.

Industrial Importance

Zinc sulfate is used in agriculture as a micronutrient supplement for crops, in the rayon manufacturing process, and in zinc electroplating baths.

Properties

Type
Single Replacement
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-155.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid?
The balanced equation is: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂.
What type of reaction is Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid?
Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid is a single replacement reaction.
Is Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid exothermic or endothermic?
Zinc Reacting with Sulfuric Acid is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -155.0 kJ/mol.