# Zinc, iron and copper are metals that can react with dilute sulfuric acid. Describe what happens when zinc is added to dilute sulfuric acid, and explain why copper does not react with dilute sulfuric acid.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.4.2 Reactions of acids · Describe and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid to produce zinc sulfate (and hydrogen gas)
2. Hydrogen gas is produced / bubbles / effervescence observed
3. Copper is less reactive than hydrogen (or below hydrogen in the reactivity series)
4. A more reactive element is needed to displace hydrogen from the acid / copper cannot displace hydrogen ions from the acid

## Key terms

- [dilute sulfuric acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/dilute-sulfuric-acid)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/zinc-iron-and-copper-are-metals-dfe5d0fd) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.