Give reasons for the following :
Metals replace hydrogen from dilute acids whereas non-metals do not.

Explanation

Hydrogen from dilute acids can only be replaced if electrons are supplied to `H^+` ions of the acid.
`H_2SO_4(aq) to 2H^+(aq)+SO_4^(2-) (aq)`
`2H^+ +2e^(-) to H_2(g)`
`HCl(aq) to H^+(aq)+Cl^(-)(aq)`
`H^+ +e^(-) to H`
`2H toH_2(g) uparrow`
Metals have a tendency to lose electrons and hence they supply electrons i.e., they are electron donors. That is why metals displace hydrogen from dilute acids.
One the other hand, non metal is an electron acceptor. It cannot supply electrons to `H^+` and hence it does not displace hydrogen from dilute acids.