Zinc and Acids

[Soaring Crane]

Main Question or Discussion Point

Does zinc react with both acetic acid (CH3COOH) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4)? I can't figure out the chemical equations for them and am wondering if no reactions occur.

Thanks.

 

[Astronuc]

Dropping a piece of Zn metal into an acid will cause the liberation of hydrogen.

The standard electrode (reduction) potential E^o of Zn, i.e.

Zn²⁺ + 2 e^- --> Zn is -0.763 V

whereas the potential for hydrogen, the reference is 0.

2 H⁺ + 2 e^- --> H₂ ,

so zinc will be oxidized and H will be reduced, and the rate will be determined by the strength or concentration (pH) of the acid and the dissolution of the Zn.

 

[Soaring Crane]

Since I'm on the subject of zinc, did I balance/write these chemical equations properly?

Zn + 2AgNO3 --> 2Ag + Zn(NO3)2 (zinc with silver nitrate)

Zn + Cu(NO3)2 --> Cu + Zn(NO3)2 (zinc with copper nitrate)

Thanks.

 

[Cesium]

Looks fine.

 

[Soaring Crane]

Are these chemical equations even remotely correct?

(zinc with acetic acid) Zn + 2CH3CO2H --> H2 + Zn(C2H3O2)2

(zinc with phosphoric acid) 3Zn + 2H3PO4 --> 3H2 + Zn3(PO4)2

Thanks.

 

[Soaring Crane]

Any volunteers?

Thanks.

 

[Borek]

Looks OK, although I would write Zn(CH3CO2)2 to be consistent on both sides of equation.