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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: archijun3 on July 03, 2012, 08:21:21 AM

Title: Reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid
Post by: archijun3 on July 03, 2012, 08:21:21 AM
When we make hydrogen in the lab, we can react zinc with hydrochloric acid to produce a salt and hydrogen.
And copper(II) sulphate is added, which reacts with a small amount of the zinc to form copper, which acts as the catalyst in the reaction.
Why can't we just add copper straight-away??
Title: Re: Reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid
Post by: Borek on July 03, 2012, 02:57:38 PM
You want copper to be deposited on the zinc surface, this way it is more effective.