Reaction of Acids and Bases with Metals

Table of Contents

• Reaction of Acids with Metals
• Reaction of Bases with Metals
• Summary
• What’s Next?

In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Acids, Bases and Salts’, we got introduced to acids and bases. In this segment, let us study the reaction of acids and bases with metals.

How do Acids react with metals?

Let us understand how acids react with metals with the help of an experiment.

Things needed:

• A stand
• A container
• A test tube
• A delivery tube
• A candle
• Dilute sulphuric acid
• Zinc granules
• Soap solution

Procedure:

1. Take a stand.
2. With the help of the clamp, place the test tube on the stand.
3. In this test tube, add about 5 ml of dilute sulphuric acid.
4. Then add a few pieces of zinc granules to it. Some gas comes from the surface of zinc granules and also bubbles are formed.
5. On the right of the stand, place some soap solution in a container. Using the delivery tube, pass the gas through the soap solution. Bubbles form in the soap solution and some gas is released.
6. Bring a lighted candle near the gas, it will burn with a pop sound.
7. A similar reaction can be seen when the sulphuric acid is replaced with other acids like hydrochloric acid or nitric acid.