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.
Dropping a piece of Zn metal into an acid will cause the liberation of hydrogen.
The standard electrode (reduction) potential Eo 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.
#3
Soaring Crane
469
0
Since I'm on the subject of zinc, did I balance/write these chemical equations properly?