What happens when zinc granules are treated with dilute solutio of `H_(2)SO_(4), HCl, HNO_(3), NaCl` and NaOH ? Also write the chemical equations if reaction occurs.

Explanation

The reaction of Zn granules with
(i) dilute `H_(2)SO_(4)`
`Zn(s)+H_(2)SO_(4)(aq)rarrZnSO_(4)(aq)+H_(2)(g)`
(ii) dilute HCl
`Zn(s)+2HCl(aq)rarrZnCl_(2)(aq)+H_(2)(g)`
(iii) dilute `HNO_(3)`
Reaction with dilute `HNO_(3)` is different as compared to other acids because nitric acid is an oxidising agent and it oxidises `H_(2)` gas evolved to `H_(2)O`.
`4Zn(s)+10HNO_(3)(aq)rarr4Zn(NO_(3))_(2)(aq)+5H_(2)O(l)+N_(2)O(g)`
(iv) NaCl solution
`Zn(s)+NaCl(aq)rarr"No reaction"`
(v) NaOH solution
`Zn(s)+2NaOH(aq)rarrunderset("Sodium zincate")(Na_(2)ZnO_(2)(aq))+H_(2)(g)`