Question

Predict whether zinc and silver react with 1M sulpheric acid to give out hydrogen gas or not? given that the standard potential of zinc and silver are-0.76 and -0.80 volt respectively...


plzz!! answer it fast coz having exams tomorrow!​

Answer 1

Given: Standard potential of zinc is -0.76 V

Standard solution of silver is +0.80 V

To Find: whether zinc and silver react with 1M Sulphuric acid to give out hydrogen gas or not.

Explanation:

We know, standard reduction potential of Hydrogen is considered to be Zero.

Standard reduction potential of Zinc is -0.76 V. This shows that zinc does not has tendency to get reduced.

$Zn^{+} --> Zn \\E= -0.76V$

If we reverse the reaction,

$Zn --> Zn^{+} \\E= -(-0.76V) = 0.76V$

Therefore, Zinc will react with Sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate and release hydrogen gas.

$Zn + H_{2}SO_{4} --> ZnSO_{4} + H_{2}$

In case of silver, we do not see any reaction with Sulphuric acid. This can be explained on the basis of reductional potential of silver.

Silver has positive reduction potential of 0.80V. This means that unlike zinc it has tendency to get reduced not oxidized. So it will not be able to displace hydrogen gas from 1M Sulphuric acid.

Hence we can conclude that:

Zinc will react with Sulphuric acid to give out Hydrogen gas.

Silver will not react with Sulphuric acid to give out hydrogen gas.