Physical and chemical properties of metals
Metals and Non-metals (School Level) · Chemistry
Study notes
Four metals react with dilute HCl: Mg bubbles fast, Zn bubbles slowly, Cu does nothing. Explain. Step 1: Reaction: metal + acid → salt + hydrogen gas. Step 2: Mg is very reactive → vigorous bubbling of H₂. Step 3: Zn is moderately reactive → slow bubbling. Step 4: Cu is below hydrogen in the reactivity series → cannot displace H⁺, no reaction. Conclusion: bubbling speed reveals the reactivity order Mg > Zn > Cu.