Zinc and Water Reaction Zinc virtually has no reaction with cold water but it reacts with steam to give zinc oxide and hydrogen gas. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) occurs as white powder known as zinc white. When ointments or creams containing ZnO and water are melted and exposed to ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide is produced. Zinc oxide, ZnO, which is used in the production of rubber, concrete, paints and batteries and in the treatment of minor skin rashes, cuts or burns and as a sun screen. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) also forms cement like products, used in dentistry, when treated with phosphoric acid. Zinc oxide can react violently with aluminium and magnesium powders, with chlorinated rubber and linseed oil on heating causing fire and explosion hazard. Zinc + Steam —> Zinc Oxide + Hydrogen Reaction with Oxygen - Zinc Oxide Zinc oxide reacts with both acids and alkalis. With acid it reacts to form familiar compound such as zinc sulfate. The hydrated form is the mineral goslarite which was historically known as "white vitriol" and can be prepared by reacting zinc with aqueous sulfuric acid. With alkali it forms zincates. An example of a zincate is salt of zinc hydroxide Zn(OH)2. Strong heating is required to make zinc powder burn in oxygen. Considerable heat is given out during the reaction and a white powder is formed, which is yellow when hot and turns white when cold. Zinc + Oxygen —> Zinc Oxide Zinc Nitrate Reaction Zinc nitrate is a colorless crystalline solid. It is soluble and is used as a catalyst in the manufacture of chemicals, in medicine, and in dyes. It is non-combustible, but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided, an explosion may result. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion. Zinc reacts with dilute nitric acid to give zinc nitrate and hydrogen gas. Zinc + Nitric acid —> Zinc nitrate + Hydrogen Chemical Reactions Some examples of a chemical reaction include most commonly burning, fermentation, tarnishing and rusting. There are several different types of Chemical reaction which have been detailed below: - Substitution reactions
- Double displacement reactions
- Acid-base reactions
- Combustion reactions
- Combination reactions
- Decomposition reactions
Refer to our Chemical Reaction article for additional facts and information providing the different types of reactions, examples of reaction and the Rate of a Chemical Reaction. |