Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction Between a Metal and an Acid
Factors affecting the rate of reaction between a metal and an acid
The rate of a reaction can be measured by the rate at which a reactant is used up, or the rate at which a product is formed.
The temperature, concentration, pressure of reacting gases, surface area of reacting solids, and the use of catalysts, are all factors which affect the rate of a reaction.
Individual properties of substances also affect reaction rates. The scope of these properties is broad and there are few generalizations that you can apply consistently. Some of the properties in this category are state of matter, molecular size, bond type and bond strength.
How to measure the rate of reaction
There are two ways to measure the rate of a reaction:
1. measure the rate at which a reactant is used up
2. measure the rate at which a product is formed
The method chosen depends on the reaction being studied. Sometimes it is easier to measure the change in the amount of a reactant that has been used up; sometimes it is easier to measure the change in the amount of product that has been produced.
The reaction between metals and acids
Acids and bases
When acids react with bases, a salt and water are made:
• acid + metal oxide → salt + water
• acid + metal hydroxide → salt + water
Remember that most bases do not dissolve in water. But if a base can dissolve in water, it is also called an alkali.
Reactive metals
Acids will react with reactive metals, such as magnesium and zinc, to make a salt and hydrogen:
• acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
The hydrogen causes bubbling during the reaction, and can be detected using a lighted
The rate of a reaction can be measured by the rate at which a reactant is used up, or the rate at which a product is formed.
The temperature, concentration, pressure of reacting gases, surface area of reacting solids, and the use of catalysts, are all factors which affect the rate of a reaction.
Individual properties of substances also affect reaction rates. The scope of these properties is broad and there are few generalizations that you can apply consistently. Some of the properties in this category are state of matter, molecular size, bond type and bond strength.
How to measure the rate of reaction
There are two ways to measure the rate of a reaction:
1. measure the rate at which a reactant is used up
2. measure the rate at which a product is formed
The method chosen depends on the reaction being studied. Sometimes it is easier to measure the change in the amount of a reactant that has been used up; sometimes it is easier to measure the change in the amount of product that has been produced.
The reaction between metals and acids
Acids and bases
When acids react with bases, a salt and water are made:
• acid + metal oxide → salt + water
• acid + metal hydroxide → salt + water
Remember that most bases do not dissolve in water. But if a base can dissolve in water, it is also called an alkali.
Reactive metals
Acids will react with reactive metals, such as magnesium and zinc, to make a salt and hydrogen:
• acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
The hydrogen causes bubbling during the reaction, and can be detected using a lighted