What are the oxidation and reduction equations for when zinc is placed in HCl?

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Answer 1 · 2017-07-10T04:39:19

Zinc is oxidized to $Zn^(2+)$ .........

$Zn(s) rarr Zn^(2+) + 2e^-$ $(i)$

And hydronium ion is REDUCED to dihydrogen gas.........

$H_3O^+ + e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g) +H_2O(l)$ $(ii)$

And we add the equations together to eliminate the electrons.....

$Zn(s) + 2H_3O^+ rarrZn^(2+) + H_2(g)uarr +2H_2O(l)$

And since chloride anion is conceived to be a spectator in this reaction.....

$Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) rarrZnCl_2(aq) + H_2(g)uarr$

Is mass balanced? Is charge balanced? If the answer is NO, then the reaction cannot be considered to represent reality.