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Zn gives \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) gas with \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) and \(\mathrm{HCl}\) but not with \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) because (a) in electrochemical series \(\mathrm{Zn}\) is above hydrogen (b) \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}\)ion is reduced in preference to hydronium ion (c) Zn acts as an oxidizing agent when reacts with \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) (d) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) is weaker acid than \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) and \(\mathrm{HCl}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
(b) NO鈧冣伝 ion is reduced in preference to hydronium ion.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Reaction of Zn with Different Acids

Zinc (Zn) reacts with acids to produce hydrogen gas. The general reaction with an acid like HCl or H鈧係O鈧 can be written as: \( \text{Zn} + 2\text{H}^+ \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+} + \text{H}_2 \). However, the reaction with nitric acid (HNO鈧) is different due to the presence of the \(\text{NO}_3^-\) ion, which itself requires reduction.
02

Analyze Zinc's Reactivity in Electrochemical Series

In the electrochemical series, zinc is placed above hydrogen, which means zinc can displace hydrogen from acids like HCl or H鈧係O鈧 to release hydrogen gas. Therefore, options (a) suggest that zinc being above hydrogen is why it reacts with HCl and H鈧係O鈧 to produce H鈧 gas.
03

Consider NO鈧冣伝 Ion Reduction by Zn with HNO鈧

When zinc reacts with HNO鈧, the nitrate ion (NO鈧冣伝) is reduced instead of hydronium ions because NO鈧冣伝 is a stronger oxidizing agent than the H鈦 ions. This occurs because \( \text{NO}_3^- \) can be reduced to form nitrogen-containing compounds like NO鈧. Thus, hydrogen gas is not produced. This aligns with option (b).
04

Evaluate Other Options

Option (c) states that zinc acts as an oxidizing agent, which is incorrect since zinc acts as a reducing agent, donating electrons to reduce the NO鈧冣伝 ion. Option (d) suggests that HNO鈧 is a weaker acid, which is incorrect as HNO鈧 is actually a strong acid.
05

Conclusion

The given statements need to explain why Zn gives H鈧 gas with HCl and H鈧係O鈧 but not with HNO鈧. Zinc's inability to produce H鈧 with HNO鈧 is best explained because the NO鈧冣伝 ion is reduced in preference to the hydronium ion, aligning with option (b).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Electrochemical Series
The electrochemical series is a table that ranks elements based on their ability to be oxidized or reduced. In this series, zinc (Zn) is positioned above hydrogen. This positioning indicates that zinc can easily release electrons and reduce hydronium ions, which are present when acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H鈧係O鈧) are dissolved in water. The general reaction can be represented as:
  • Zinc releases two electrons as it is oxidized: \( \text{Zn} \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+} + 2e^- \)
  • Hydronium ions gain electrons: \( 2\text{H}^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2 \)
As a result of this exchange, hydrogen gas is released when zinc reacts with these acids. This fundamental principle guides the understanding of zinc's behavior in the presence of acids, which ultimately revolves around electron exchange dictated by the electrochemical series.
Reduction of Nitrate ion
When zinc reacts with nitric acid (HNO鈧), the presence of nitrate ions (\(\text{NO}_3^-\)) significantly alters the typical reaction pathway observed with other acids. Instead of producing hydrogen gas, zinc facilitates the reduction of nitrate ions due to its electron-donating ability.
  • Nitrate ions act as strong oxidizing agents.
  • They are reduced in preference to the hydronium ions found in other acids.
  • During the reaction, products like nitrogen dioxide \((\text{NO}_2)\) can form instead, without releasing any hydrogen gas.
The reduction of \(\text{NO}_3^-\) tends to proceed because it is thermodynamically more favorable given the conditions of the reaction with zinc, aligning with how strong oxidizing agents behave.
Comparative Reactivity
To understand why zinc reacts differently with various acids, it's essential to consider the reactivity or strength of the acids involved. While all acids can release \(\text{H}^+\) ions:
  • HCl and H鈧係O鈧 release \(\text{H}^+\) ions which, thanks to zinc's position in the electrochemical series, can be successfully reduced by zinc to produce hydrogen gas.
  • In contrast, HNO鈧 is a strong acid but uniquely has \(\text{NO}_3^-\) ions, which behave as strong oxidizing agents.
  • This means zinc's electrons are more effectively utilized in reducing the nitrate ions rather than hydrogen ions.
Hence, the reactivity of zinc in these reactions is not merely about the acid's strength, but also about the solution chemistry and the nature of ions present. This aspect of reactivity ties into zinc's unique chemical interactions, underlying the importance of recognizing the available ions for reaction.

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