Question

Zinc liberates hydrogen gas when reacted with dilute hydrochloric acid, whereas copper does not. Explain, why?

Answer 1

Zinc (Zn) is placed above hydrogen in the activity series. It therefore, displaces hydrogen from dilute HCl.
`Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) to ZnCl_(2) (aq) + H_(2)(g)`
Copper is placed below hydrogen and therefore, does not react with dilute HCl.
`Cu (s) + HCl (aq) to` No action.