You are provided with a container made up of aluminium. You are also provided with solutions of dil HCl, dil `HNO_(3), ZnCl_(2)` and `H_(2)O`. Out of these solutions which solution, can bekept in the aluminium container ? Name the type of reaction taking place.

Explanation

(i) Dilute HCl cannot be kept in aluminium container because aluminium metal reacts rapidly with dil HCl to form aluminium chloride and liberating hydrogen gas.
`2Al(s) +6HCl(dil) rarrunderset("(Displacement reaction)")(2AlCl_(3)(aq))+3H_(2)(g)`
(ii) When dilute `HNO_(3)` is kept in aluminium container, it forms a protective layer of aluminium oxide on it which makes it passive towards action with acid and therefore, it can be kept in Aluminium container.
`2Al(s)+6NO_(3) rarr underset("(Displacement reaction)")(Al_(2)O_(3))+6NO_(2)+3H_(2)O`
(iii) `ZnCl_(2)` solution also cannot be kept in aluminium container because Al is more reactive then Zn, therefore more reactive Al displaces less reactive Zn from its solution `( ZnCl_(2))` .
`2Al(s)+3ZnCl_(2)(aq) rarr underset("(Displacement reaction )")(2AlCl_(3))+3Zn`
(iv) Aluminium does not react with `H_(2)O` . So, can be kept in aluminium container.