Page 110 - Chemistry_Form_2

Chemistry
for Secondary Schools

Thistle funnel
Retort stand Acid

FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Derivery tube

Test tube holder

Boiling tube Limewater

Dilute acid Bubbles of carbon dioxide
Metal carbonate

Figure 5.4: Set-up for the reaction of acids with carbonates

4. Acids react with metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series to form salt
and hydrogen gas. Some examples are shown in the following equations:

Note: (a) The reaction between lead and dilute hydrochloric acid or sulfuric
acid forms an insoluble coating of lead chloride and lead sulfate,

respectively which prevents further reaction. The two reactions
are very slow and the process may take hours before a few bubbles
of hydrogen gas are observed. Copper does not react with dilute
hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid because it is below hydrogen
in the reactivity series of metals. See Appendix 3.

(b) The reactions of dilute nitric acid and most metals produce water
instead of hydrogen gas. This is because nitric acid is a strong
oxidising agent. Its oxidising power depends on the concentration

of the acid; the higher the concentration of acid, the higher the
oxidising power of the acid. The following equations present the
reaction between metals and concentrated nitric acid:

Student’s Book Form Two 103

01/08/2025 11:21:01
CHEMISTRY FORM TWO NEW 2025 DUMMY.indd 103 01/08/2025 11:21:01
CHEMISTRY FORM TWO NEW 2025 DUMMY.indd 103