HCl + ZnCO3 is one of the reactions of HCl with weak bases like ZnCO3. Let us see how the reaction works.
ZnCO3 is a smithsonite mineral that occurs in nature as a white solid. Its melting point is 140°C, and it has less solubility. HCl, a strong acid, can completely dissociate into the aqueous solutions. Its melting point depends upon the concentration of the solution.
In this article, we will go through some of the facts of this reaction, like its products, intermolecular forces, and displacement reaction type.
What is the product of HCl and ZnCO3
HCl reacts with ZnCO3 to form zinc chloride, water, and carbon dioxide gas.
2HCl(aq) + ZnCO3(s)= ZnCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
What type of reaction is HCl + ZnCO3
HCl + ZnCO3 reaction can be considered an acid-base reaction since HCl, a strong acid, reacts with weak base ZnCO3 to form salt and water.
How to balance HCl + ZnCO3
The balanced chemical equation for the above reaction is:
2HCl(aq) + ZnCO3(s)= ZnCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
Steps to balance the HCl + ZnCO3 reaction:
- Step 1: Calculate the number of atoms on the reactants and products side.
The following table shows the number of atoms in both reactants and products.
| Atoms | Reactants side | Products side |
|---|---|---|
| H | 1 | 2 |
| Cl | 1 | 2 |
| Zn | 1 | 1 |
| C | 1 | 1 |
| O | 3 | 3 |
- Step2: Putting the required coefficients in front of the unbalanced atoms on both sides to get a balanced reaction
Our attempt was accomplished by placing 2 as a coefficient of HCl
- Therefore, the balanced chemical equation for the above reaction is given by:
2HCl(aq) + ZnCO3(s)= ZnCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
HCl + ZnCO3 titration
The below data gives an idea about the titration of HCl versus ZnCO3.
Apparatus
Conical flask, measuring jar, volumetric flask, wash bottle, pipette, burette, burette stand, watch glass.
Indicator
Since it is a strong acid versus weak base reaction, the phenolphthalein indicator is used; its endpoint is pink to colorless.
Procedure
Burette is filled with standardized HCl, and ZnCO3 is taken into a conical flask and start titration by dropwise addition of HCl and add indicator in the middle and titrated until the solution becomes colorless. It is the equivalent point; note down the readings, find the volume of ZnCl2 using the formula V1S1=V2S2.
HCl + ZnCO3 net ionic equation
The net ionic equation for the HCl + ZnCO3 reaction is
2H++ ZnCO3= Zn2++CO2+ H2O
The net ionic equation for the reaction of HCl + ZnCO3 was obtained by following the below steps
- Step 1: Write down the balanced chemical equation for the above reaction
The balanced chemical equation for the HCl + ZnCO3 reaction is
2HCl(aq) + ZnCO3(s)= ZnCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
- Step2: Split the strong electrolytes into ions on both reactants and products side
In this reaction, HCl and ZnCl2 are the strong electrolytes
2H+ +2Cl–+ ZnCO3= Zn2+ +2Cl–+ CO2+ H2O
- Step3: Cancel the spectator ions on both sides to get the net ionic equation of the above reaction
The net ionic equation for the HCl + ZnCO3 reaction is;
2H++ ZnCO3= Zn2++CO2+ H2O
HCl + ZnCO3 conjugate pairs
The conjugate pairs formed in the reaction of HCl + ZnCO3 are strong acid HCl and its conjugate base Cl–.
HCl + ZnCO3 intermolecular forces
- The intermolecular forces present between the HCl molecule are dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces, but dipole-dipole interactions are strongest compared to London dispersion forces.
- In ZnCO3 ,ionic-ionic interactions are present between the atoms.
HCl + ZnCO3 reaction enthalpy
HCl + ZnCO3 reaction enthalpy is always negative. The enthalpy for the redox reactions is negative since its Gibbs energy value is less than 1.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 a buffer solution
HCl + ZnCO3 is not a buffer solution because HCl is not a weak acid, and as there is no conjugate acid for the weak base ZnCO3
Is HCl + ZnCO3 a complete reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is not a complete reaction since ZnCO3 is not completely dissolved into the aqueous medium, so there is a chance for a further reaction when the external solvent is added.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is an exothermic reaction, so the energy produced during the reaction is enough for the complete reaction. There is no need for external energy.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 a redox reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is a redox reaction because ZnCO3 reduces the HCl by changing the oxidation state of the H ion from +1 to 0; parallelly, ZnCO3 oxidizes the carbonate ion from -2 to 0 oxidation state.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 a precipitation reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is not a precipitation reaction, as no precipitates are formed during the reaction.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 reversible or irreversible reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is irreversible because the products no longer undergo backward reactions to form reactants under the same conditions.
Is HCl + ZnCO3 displacement reaction
HCl + ZnCO3 is a double displacement reaction since the chloride ion gets displaced from HCl to ZnCl2, and similarly, the Carbonate ion gets displaced from ZnCO3 to CO2.
Conclusion
The reaction between HCl + ZnCO3 is one of the sources for the formation of ZnCl2, which has a wide range of applications in laboratories, metallurgy as a flux, paper, and textile industries, and fingerprint investigation.ZnCl2 also acts as a disinfectant and wood preservative.
Hi…I am Surya Satya Eluri. I have done my M.Sc in Organic Chemistry. I am very enthusiastic about the high-energy chemistry field. I love to write complicated chemistry concepts in understandable and simple words.
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