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+ Chemical reactions
+ Acids
+ Chemistry
+ Hydrochloric acid
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Aaron Weinberger

Is the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid exothermic?

Craig Dorschel  Follow

Yes there is bond formation, hence exothermic, negative enthalpy change in rate of reactive (-ve delta H), energy is released.

Acid metal reactions usually produce a salt, in this case, zinc chloride and hydrogen gas. After adding magnesium ribbon/strips to HCl, you will realise that the test tube is warm. That’s due to heat energy which is being released from the reaction.

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Asghar Hosseini  Follow

Three items to come to mind quickly:

  1. Stir/shake the solution
  2. Insure that the zinc is finely ground (more surface area)
  3. Heat the solution

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