Question

1. Name the two metals which produce hydrogen gas when reacted with nitric acid.
2. Give the reaction of the above-mentioned metals.
3. What kind of conclusion can you draw from this reaction?

Answer 1

(i) Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn)

(ii) With Magnesium:

\[\ce{Mg + 2HNO3 (very dilute) -> Mg(NO3)2 + H2 ^}\]

With Manganese:

\[\ce{Mn + 2HNO3 (very dilute) -> Mn(NO3)2 + H2 ^}\]

(iii) Nitric acid behaves as a typical acid only when it is extremely dilute (1%). In this state, its powerful oxidising nature becomes negligible, allowing it to react with active metals to liberate hydrogen gas just like other standard acids.