Reactions of Acids with Metals
Build confidence in Reactions of Acids with Metals for GCSE Chemistry with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen, and the hydrogen gives a squeaky pop with a lit splint.
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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Acids react with metals to produce a salt and hydrogen. The general equation is acid + metal → salt + hydrogen.
Which salt forms depends on the acid. Hydrochloric acid produces chlorides, sulfuric acid produces sulfates, and nitric acid produces nitrates. So magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen.
The test for hydrogen is a lighted splint, which burns with a squeaky pop. Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids, which is why copper, silver and gold do not react at all.
Revision notes
The general reaction
Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen.
Hydrochloric acid gives chlorides, sulfuric acid gives sulfates, nitric acid gives nitrates. The metal replaces the hydrogen in the acid, which is a displacement reaction.
Testing for hydrogen
Hold a lighted splint at the mouth of the test tube.
Hydrogen burns rapidly with a squeaky pop. This is the standard test and the observation must be described precisely.
Which metals react
Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids.
Magnesium reacts vigorously, zinc more slowly, and iron slowly. Copper, silver and gold do not react because they are below hydrogen.
Key points
- Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen.
- Hydrochloric acid makes chlorides.
- Sulfuric acid makes sulfates.
- Nitric acid makes nitrates.
- Hydrogen burns with a squeaky pop.
- Only metals above hydrogen react with dilute acids.
Worked examples
Example 1
Write the word equation for magnesium reacting with hydrochloric acid. [2 marks]
Model answer
Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen. Correct reactants (1 mark). Correct products (1 mark).
Example 2
Describe the test for hydrogen gas and the positive result. [2 marks]
Model answer
Hold a lighted splint at the mouth of the test tube (1 mark). If hydrogen is present it burns rapidly with a squeaky pop (1 mark).
Example 3
Explain why copper does not react with dilute sulfuric acid. [2 marks]
Model answer
Copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series (1 mark), so it cannot displace hydrogen from the acid and no reaction occurs (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Naming the wrong salt.
Match the salt to the acid: chloride, sulfate or nitrate.
Saying hydrogen relights a glowing splint.
That is the test for oxygen. Hydrogen gives a squeaky pop with a lighted splint.
Saying all metals react with acid.
Only those above hydrogen in the reactivity series do.
Forgetting hydrogen as a product.
It is always produced when a metal reacts with an acid.
Exam tips
- Learn which acid produces which type of salt.
- Describe the hydrogen test with both method and result.
- Check the metal is above hydrogen before predicting a reaction.
- Always include hydrogen as a product.
Key terms
- Salt
- A compound formed when the hydrogen in an acid is replaced by a metal.
- Chloride
- The salt formed from hydrochloric acid.
- Sulfate
- The salt formed from sulfuric acid.
- Nitrate
- The salt formed from nitric acid.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.