Question

Name two metals which will displace hydrogen from dilute acids, and two metals which will not.

Name two metals which can displace hydrogen from dilute acids.

Answer 1

Iron and aluminium will displace hydrogen from dilute acids as they are more reactive than hydrogen. Metals such as Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, etc., which lie above hydrogen in the activity series, are more reactive than hydrogen and hence can displace hydrogen from dilute acids.

\[\ce{\underset{Zinc}{Zn_{(s)}} + \underset{Sulphuric acid}{H2SO4_{(aq)}} -> \underset{Zinc(II) sulphate}{ZnSO4_{(aq)}} + \underset{Hydrogen}{H2_{(g)}}}\]

\[\ce{\underset{Iron}{Fe_{(s)}} + \underset{Hydrochloric acid}{2HCl_{(aq)}} -> \underset{Iron(ll) chloride}{FeCl2_{(aq)}} + \underset{Hydrogen}{H2_{(g)}}}\]

Answer 2

Sodium and magnesium are two metals which can displace hydrogen from dilute acids.