# A student investigates the reaction between zinc metal and dilute sulfuric acid. Explain what type of reaction is taking place, identifying which substance is oxidised and which is reduced, and describe what the student would observe during the reaction.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry A (H432) — 2.3 Acid-base and redox reactions · Explain · 5 marks

> Zinc is a metal that reacts with dilute sulfuric acid to produce zinc sulfate solution and hydrogen gas. The reaction can be represented by the equation: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. This is a redox reaction
2. Zinc is oxidised because it loses electrons (forming Zn²⁺ ions)
3. Hydrogen ions are reduced because they gain electrons (forming H₂)
4. Bubbles of gas are observed (hydrogen gas is produced)
5. The zinc solid disappears / dissolves (gets smaller) as the reaction proceeds

## Key terms

- [oxidised](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/oxidised)
- [reduced](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reduced)
- [ion](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ion)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry A (H432)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-investigates-the-reaction-between-7e24391a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.