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Multiple Choice
Which salt is formed when zinc reacts with nitric acid, and what is its chemical formula?
A
Zinc acetate, Zn(CH3COO)2
B
Zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2
C
Zinc chloride, ZnCl2
D
Zinc sulfate, ZnSO4
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reactants: zinc (Zn) is a metal, and nitric acid (HNO3) is an acid containing the nitrate ion (NO3⁻).
Recall that when a metal reacts with an acid, it typically forms a salt and hydrogen gas. The salt is composed of the metal cation and the anion from the acid.
Determine the charge on the zinc ion: zinc commonly forms a +2 charge, so the zinc ion is Zn²⁺.
Identify the anion from nitric acid: the nitrate ion, NO3⁻, has a -1 charge.
Combine the ions to form a neutral salt: since Zn²⁺ has a +2 charge and NO3⁻ has a -1 charge, two nitrate ions are needed to balance one zinc ion, resulting in the formula Zn(NO3)2.