CHEMISTRY

JAMB 2023 - Question 4

Chemistry 2023 JAMB Past Questions - Question 4: Hydrogen is not evolved when trioxonitrate (V) acid reacts with zinc because

Hydrogen is not evolved when trioxonitrate (V) acid reacts with zinc because
A:
B:
C:
D:
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Correct Answer

A

Explanation

The solution to the statement "Hydrogen is not evolved when trioxonitrate (V) acid reacts with zinc because" lies in understanding the reaction between zinc and trioxonitrate (V) acid (also known as nitric acid, HNO3).When zinc reacts with nitric acid, the reaction does not produce hydrogen gas because nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. Nitric acid oxidizes the zinc metal, producing zinc nitrate and other nitrogen oxides as products. These nitrogen oxides include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO), but not hydrogen gas.The overall reaction can be represented as:Zn(s) + 8HNO3(aq) → Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 4H2O(l)So, the reason hydrogen is not evolved in this reaction is because nitric acid does not reduce to produce hydrogen gas; instead, it acts as an oxidizing agent.