question_answer 72)

  You are provided with two containers made up of copper and aluminium. You are also provided with solutions of dilute HCI, dilute, ZnCl2and H2O. In which of the containers these solutions can be kept?

Answer:

  The container made up of copper or aluminium is suitable for storing the given solutions, can be decided by studying their reactions. (i) Reactions of copper with (a) Dilute HCI So, it can be stored in Cu container. (b) Dilute HNO3 Being a strong oxidizing agent, dilute HNO3 reacts with copper, so it cannot be stored in copper container. (c) Copper is less reactive than zinc so it does not react with solution. Therefore, it can be stored in copper container. (d) H2O Copper does not react with water. So, its container can store H2O in it. Thus, HCl, solution and H2O can be kept in copper vessel but dil, HNO3 cannot be kept in copper vessel.   (ii) Reactions of aluminium with (a) Dilute HCl Al reacts with dilute HCl, so it cannot be kept in aluminium container. (b) Dilute HNO3 When dil. HNO3 is kept in Al container, it forms a protective layer of aluminium oxide on it which makes it passive towards action with acid, therefore, it can be kept in Al container. (c) ZnCI2, Al is more reactive than zinc, so it cannot keep ZnCI2 solution in it. (d) H2O Al does not react with H2O.So, its container can store H2O in it. Thus, dil. HNO3 and H2O (l) can be kept in aluminium vessel but dil HCl and ZnCl2 solution can not be kept in aluminium vessel.