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2.7.3Inorganic Chemistry

Reactions of Acids — Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award 4SD0 - Chemistry Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 39 of 52

📚 Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award 4SD0 - Chemistry Hub / Topical Revision
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Curriculum Equation Key pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: pH + pOH = 14
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Part 1 of 5Acid and Metal

2.7.3 Reactions of Acids

Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids to release hydrogen.

Products
  • A metal and dilute acid form a salt and hydrogen gas, for example Mg + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + H₂.
Reactivity
  • The more reactive the metal, the more vigorous the reaction, and the faster the hydrogen is produced.
Unreactive metals
  • Copper lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so it does not react with dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.
Safety
  • Very reactive metals such as potassium and sodium react explosively with acids and must not be tested this way.
AcidSalt formedExample
Hydrochloric acidChlorideZn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂
Sulfuric acidSulfateFe + H₂SO₄ → FeSO₄ + H₂
Nitric acidNitrateZnO + 2HNO₃ → Zn(NO₃)₂ + H₂O

Part 2 of 5Acid and Bases

Metal oxides and hydroxides act as bases, and they neutralise acids to form a salt and water.

1
A metal oxide or hydroxide reacts with an acid to form a salt and water, with no gas given off.
2
Copper(II) oxide reacts with sulfuric acid to form copper(II) sulfate and water: CuO + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + H₂O.
3
Zinc oxide reacts with nitric acid to form zinc nitrate and water: ZnO + 2HNO₃ → Zn(NO₃)₂ + H₂O.
4
The salt depends on the acid: hydrochloric acid gives chlorides, sulfuric acid gives sulfates and nitric acid gives nitrates.

Part 3 of 5Acid and Carbonates

Acid and Carbonates
Products
  • A metal carbonate and an acid form a salt, carbon dioxide and water.
Effervescence
  • Bubbles of carbon dioxide are seen, which distinguishes this reaction from acid and oxide or hydroxide reactions.
Test for carbon dioxide
  • The gas turns limewater cloudy, confirming that it is carbon dioxide.
Example
  • Copper(II) carbonate and hydrochloric acidCuCO₃ + 2HCl → CuCl₂ + CO₂ + H₂O.

Part 4 of 5Worked Example

Question Write the balanced symbol equation, with state symbols, for the reaction of copper(II) carbonate with nitric acid.

  1. Word equationcopper(II) carbonate + nitric acid → copper(II) nitrate + carbon dioxide + water.
  2. FormulaeCuCO₃ + HNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + CO₂ + H₂O.
  3. Balance nitrogen and hydrogen by using 2HNO₃ on the left, then check oxygen and carbon.

Answer CuCO₃(s) + 2HNO₃(aq) → Cu(NO₃)₂(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

Part 5 of 5Exam Checklist & Tips

2.7.3 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Salt An ionic compound formed when the hydrogen in an acid is replaced by a metal or ammonium ion.
  • Reactivity series An order of metals by how readily they react, used to predict whether they react with acids.
  • Effervescence Fizzing caused by the release of gas, such as carbon dioxide from a carbonate.
  • Dilute acid An acid with a low concentration of acid molecules in water.

Common Mistakes

  • Stating that copper reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give hydrogen;
    • copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series.
  • Forgetting that a metal oxide or hydroxide reaction produces water and no gas.
  • Writing the wrong formula for the salt, such as ZnCl instead of ZnCl₂.
  • Giving carbon dioxide as a product of a metal reaction with acid, when it only forms with carbonates.

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