Question

why is zinc react with sulphuric acid to give hydrogen gas but copper doesn't

Answer 1

Note that Copper is a metal which is placed below Hydrogen in the Metallic Reactivity series, hence, it does not react with any diluteacid to give Hydrogen gas. On the other hand, Zinc is a quite active metal, and is placed aboveHydrogen in the Activity series, so it reacts with dilute acids to formHydrogen gas.