Hydrogen production
To demonstrate the displacement of hydrogen from hydrochloric acid by the use of zinc.
The science behind this experiment
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. This experiment demonstrates a convenient method of obtaining hydrogen from hydrochloric acid.
Equipment used
- Iron stand — CHE-037
- Universal clamp — HEA-010
- Right angle clamp — PLA-016
- Conical flask 150 ml — CHE-005
- Rubber stopper, 2 holes — CHE-031
- Dropping funnel — CHE-008
- Right angle bent glass delivery tube — CHE-011
- Connection for glass delivery tubes — PLA-020
- Dropping pipette — PLA-003
- Beaker 100 ml — HEA-001
- Spatula — PLA-024
- Parafilm — PLA-011
Chemicals and reagents
- Hydrochloric acid 2 M — R:34-37 S:26-45
- Granulated zinc
- Distilled water
Safety notes
- Hydrogen is a very flammable gas and forms explosive mixtures with air. It is essential that naked flames are kept well away from the apparatus.
Questions for students
- Describe what has happened and state the reaction.
What to expect
On adding the hydrochloric acid solution, bubbles arise from the granulated zinc and the gas displaces the air inside the conical flask. The hydrochloric acid reacts with zinc giving zinc chloride and hydrogen. 2HCl + Zn → ZnCl2 + H2 ↑ (g). Bubbling into the beaker indicates the gas production.
Disposal
After the experiment the reaction can be halted by adding 100–150 ml of water to the conical flask. The liquid can then be disposed of in the liquid wastes container.
Run this experiment in your classroom
This experiment is part of ATP Volta — a self-contained mobile science lab that turns an ordinary classroom into a working STEM laboratory, with over 200 experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, robotics and engineering. Gali, the AI tutor built into ATP Connect, guides students through each step and answers their questions at the bench.
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