Question

Write chemical equations to show what happens when an acid reacts with a:
Write chemical equations to show what happens when an acid reacts with a:
(i) Metal
(ii) Base
(iii) Carbonate
Write the name of the main product formed in each case

Hint:

Acids react with metals, bases, and carbonates to produce salts, water, and gases, each type of reaction yielding different products.

Answer 1

(i) Acid + Metal:
When an acid reacts with a metal, a salt and hydrogen gas are produced. For instance, hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacting with zinc (Zn) creates zinc chloride \((ZnCl_2)\) and hydrogen gas \((H_2)\): \[ \text{Zn} (s) + 2\text{HCl} (aq) \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 (aq) + \text{H}_2 (g) \] Main products: Zinc chloride and hydrogen gas. (ii) Acid + Base:
An acid reacting with a base forms a salt and water. For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacting with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) yields sodium chloride (NaCl) and water \((H_2O)\): \[ \text{NaOH} (aq) + \text{HCl} (aq) \rightarrow \text{NaCl} (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) \] Main products: Sodium chloride and water. (iii) Acid + Carbonate:
When an acid reacts with a carbonate, a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas are produced. As an example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacting with sodium carbonate \((Na₂CO_3)\) generates sodium chloride (NaCl), water, and carbon dioxide \((CO_2)\): \[ \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 (aq) + 2\text{HCl} (aq) \rightarrow 2\text{NaCl} (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) + \text{CO}_2 (g) \] Main products: Sodium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide.