Question

When zinc metal is treated with a dilute solution of a strong acid, a gas is evolved which is utilised in the hydrogenation of oils. Name the gas evolved. Write the chemical equation of the reaction involved and also write a test to detect the gas formed.

Answer 1

The gas evolved is hydrogen. The gas burns brightly with a pop sound when a burning splinter is brought in its contact. This causes the hydrogenation of edible liquid oils to form solid fats also called Vanaspati ghee.

`underset("(Liquid)")("Edible Oil") + "H"_2overset("(Ni or Pt.)")(->) underset("(Vanaspati Ghee)")("Solid Fat")`