Can a metal less reactive than hydrogen in a metal carbonate react with acid to produce #CO_2#, #H_2O# and salt? Thank you.

Question

Jeremiah Adams · Accepted Answer

Yes, it has nothing to do with the metal's reactivity compared with hydrogen

e.g

#CuCO_(3(s))+2HCl_((aq))rarrCuCl_(2(aq))+CO_(2(g))+H_2O_((l))#

Copper is less reactive than hydrogen.

This is because the essential reaction when a carbonate reacts with an acid is:

#2H_((aq))^(+)+CO_(3(s))^(2-)rarrCO_(2(g))+H_2O_((l))#

Caleb Adams · Answer

undefined No, a metal less reactive than hydrogen in a metal carbonate cannot react with acid to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and salt. This is because metals less reactive than hydrogen cannot displace hydrogen from acids to form hydrogen gas. In reactions with acids, metals less reactive than hydrogen typically do not produce hydrogen gas, which is a key component of the reaction that leads to the formation of carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, such metals cannot undergo the reaction required to produce CO2, H2O, and salt when reacted with an acid.