Joshua S.

De Guzman 10/21/21

BSChE-IV

Catalysis between the Reaction of Zinc and Sulphuric Acid with Copper as Catalyst

Materials needed:

 Test tubes
 Test tube rack
 Measuring cylinder
 Pipette
 Granulated Zinc
 Diluted sulphuric acid (1 mole per decimeter cubed)
 Copper turnings
 Copper sulphate (optional)

Procedure:

 On three separate test tubes, put a few pieces of granulated zinc. Try to have approximately the
same amount in each test tube.
 Add 5 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid to test tube 1. Note the rate of production of gas bubbles.
 Add a few copper turnings to test tube 2. Make sure they are in contact with the zinc then after
achieving that, add 5 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid. Take note of the rate of production of gas
bubbles.
 Add 5 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid to test tube 3. Then add about 1 cm 3 of the copper sulphate
solution using a dropping pipette. Note the rate of production of gas bubbles. Note what
happens to the color of the copper sulphate solution. Note what happens to the surface of the
pieces of zinc.

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8HIFW1dfFs&t=104s

Post-Laboratory Questions

1. What happens when zinc reacts with sulphuric acid?

Answer: The zinc reacted with sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate dissolved in solution and
hydrogen gas. Generally, that’s what happened in the reaction inside all of the three test tubes
and we can measure the rate of reaction by measuring how fast the reaction produces
hydrogen.
However, the granulated zinc in test tube 1 became shiny because of the hydrogen gas
bubbles forming on the surface of the metal. The reaction was also remarkably slow. Then with
copper as the catalyst for the reaction, test tube 2 formed more substantial amount of
 hydrogen gas bubbles. Compared to test tube 1, the bubbles didn’t stick to the zinc granule but
instead floated on the surface of the solution and released in the surroundings. When touched,
the test feels warm. All of these mean that the reaction is much faster. Finally, the test tube 3
showed a more fascinating display of the reaction among the three trials. The reaction
happened in a much faster rate. More voluminous amount of bubbles was formed and released
in the surrounding more rapidly than test tube 2. Also, the surface of the zinc changed color and
turned black. It was the doing of the zinc displacing copper from the copper sulphate that acts
as the catalyst for the reaction.

2. What gas is evolved when sulphuric acid is added to zinc?

Answer: When zinc granules were submerged with diluted sulphuric acid, zinc sulphate was
formed in the form of liquid and the bubbles in the solution was actually the hydrogen gas
evolved. Zinc was more reactive than hydrogen and it displaced hydrogen from dilute acids.

3. How do you test the gas evolved in the reaction?

Answer: To test the presence of the gas evolved, a lighted splint test can be done. All we have to
do is put a flaming splint inside the test tube where the hydrogen gas bubbles are suspected to
be forming and then a squeaky pop sound should be heard if hydrogen gas is really
present. This is due to hydrogen is highly flammable in nature and being rapidly igniting and burning
from the opening down to the bottom of the test tube. Another way to test the gas evolved is
litmus test. Take a red litmus paper and hold it over the mouth of the bubbling test tube.
There is no change in the color of the red litmus paper. Repeat the same step with blue litmus
paper. In this case as well, there is no change observed. From this, we can infer that the gas
evolved is neither acidic nor basic in nature which says a lot because hydrogen is neutral.

4. Write the complete balanced equation for the reaction.

Answer: Sulfuric acid + Zinc → Zinc sulfate + Hydrogen gas

H2SO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + H2

5. What would increase the rate of reaction between zinc and sulphuric acid?

Answer: The reaction of zinc and sulphuric acid can be made faster. Concentration of the acid
which in this case is sulphuric acid is one of the factors that influence the speed of
reaction. When there is a high concentration, the reactants have more successful collisions per
second; therefore the rate of reaction is quicker. Another factor that can increase the rate of
reaction is an increase of temperature. Sulphuric acid is already harmful and very corrosive in room
temperature. Adding heat into it would only make it worse. Heating it is very dangerous and
should be done with extra safety precautions despite the fact that we only used its diluted form.
Last but the most common and most efficient way is adding a catalyst for the reaction. For this
reaction, zinc is the catalyst.
6. Type of reaction taking place when zinc and sulphuric acid reacts

Answer: When zinc, being more reactive than hydrogen, reacts with sulphuric acid, it displaces
hydrogen from the diluted acid and forms zinc sulphate. This reaction is an example of a single
displacement reaction of a non-metal by a metal.

7. Conclusion

Answer: The reaction of zinc and sulphuric acid is a single displacement reaction which displaces
hydrogen to from zinc sulphate. Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral which is important for
growth and for the development and health of body tissues. On the other hand, the product zinc
sulphate is used medically as a dietary supplement to treat and prevent zinc deficiency.
Furthermore, presence of hydrogen gas evolved can be tested by lighted splint test and litmus
test which highlights the flammable and neutral nature of hydrogen. Also, catalyst is very
important because it speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the amount of energy you need
to get one going. Lastly, this experiment should be conducted with extra care and safety
precautions because we are dealing with sulphuric acid which is highly corrosive and an irritant.