In the laboratory, hydrogen gas is typically prepared through a specific chemical reaction.
Laboratory Preparation Method
The preparation of hydrogen gas in the laboratory involves the reaction between granulated zinc and a dilute acid. You can use either dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute sulphuric acid for this reaction.
Reactants
- Granulated Zinc
- Dilute Hydrochloric Acid OR Dilute Sulphuric Acid
The Reaction
When granulated zinc is combined with either dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute sulphuric acid, a chemical reaction occurs, producing hydrogen gas which can then be collected.
Why Granulated Zinc?
The use of granulated zinc is important for this preparation method. Granulated zinc is preferred over solid pieces of zinc because it offers a significantly larger surface area for the acid to react upon. A larger surface area means that more zinc particles are in direct contact with the acid at any given time.
This increased contact allows the chemical reaction to proceed more quickly, resulting in hydrogen gas being formed at a faster rate.
Summary of the Reaction
Here's a simple overview of the reactants and the primary product:
| Reactant 1 | Reactant 2 | Product | Key Feature of Reactant 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granulated Zinc | Dilute Hydrochloric Acid | Hydrogen Gas | Increased surface area for faster reaction |
| Granulated Zinc | Dilute Sulphuric Acid | Hydrogen Gas | Increased surface area for faster reaction |
By carefully combining these materials in a suitable laboratory setup, hydrogen gas can be safely generated for experimental purposes.
