Acids Reacting with Metals

Acids Reacting with Metals

1. Metals React with Acids to Produce Salts

   • Acid + Metal -> Salt + Hydrogen
   • The type of salt produced depends on which metal is used and which acid

2. Hydrochloric Acid will ALWAYS produce Chloride Salts

   • 2HCl + Mg -> MgCl2 + H2 (Magnesium Chloride)
   • 6HCl + 2Al -> 2AlCl3 + 3H2 (Aluminium Chloride)
   • 2HCl + Zn -> ZnCl2 + H2 (Zinc Chloride)

3. Sulfuric Acid will ALWAYS produce sulfate salts

   • H2SO4 + Mg -> MgSO4 + H2 (Magnesium Sulfate)
   • 3H2SO4 + 2Al -> Al2(SO4)3 + 3H2 (Aluminium Sulfate)
   • H2SO4 + Zn -> ZnSO4 + H2 (Zinc Sulfate)

4. Nitric Acid Produces Nitrate Salts ONLY when neutralised

   • Nitric Acid reacts with alkalis to produce nitrates
   • Nitric Acid reacts with metals to produce NITROGEN OXIDES

5. Metals that are LESS reactive than hydrogen DON'T react with ACID