Answer:
Question is incomplete, the complete question is;
Zinc granules on treating with an acid X, form the zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) salt along with the evolution of a gas Y which burns with a pop sound when brought near to a burning candle. Identify the acid X and gas evolved Y.
Answer is;
Acid X is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and the gas evolved Y is hydrogen (H₂).
Explanation:
Acids react with metals to produce a salt and hydrogen. The metal ions replace the hydrogen ions in the acids.
When Zinc (Zn) granules are treated with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), the products are zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) and hydrogen (H₂).
H₂SO₄ + Zn → ZnSO₄ + H₂
This reaction is a redox reaction, where reduction and oxidation happen at the same time. Zinc atoms are oxidized since they lose electrons (Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻), and hydrogen ions are reduced since they gain electrons (2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H₂).
Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, which reacts with oxygen molecules to produce water, combined with an explosive release of energy. But a source of energy like a small spark is needed for this reaction to take place since hydrogen does not react with oxygen at room temperature.
The activation energy (energy required for a reaction to proceed) of hydrogen is low, so only a small amount of energy is needed to trigger a reaction with oxygen. When hydrogen is brought near to a burning candle, it reacts with oxygen in the air in a small explosion by producing a squeaky pop sound.
In the question, Zinc granules are treated with an acid X to form zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) salt along with the evolution of a gas Y which burns with a pop sound when brought near to a burning candle. So, now it is clear that the acid X is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and the gas evolved Y is hydrogen (H₂).
