How does ethanoic acid react with metals?

Ethanoic acid reacts with metals to produce a salt and hydrogen gas.

When ethanoic acid comes into contact with a metal, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction is known as an acid-metal reaction. The metal displaces the hydrogen in the ethanoic acid, resulting in the formation of a salt and hydrogen gas. The general equation for this reaction is:

Metal + Ethanoic Acid → Salt + Hydrogen

For example, if ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium, the reaction would be:

2CH3COOH + Mg → (CH3COO)2Mg + H2

In this reaction, magnesium displaces the hydrogen in the ethanoic acid, forming magnesium ethanoate (a salt) and hydrogen gas. The fizzing or effervescence observed during the reaction is due to the release of this hydrogen gas.

The type of salt produced depends on the metal used in the reaction. For instance, if zinc is used instead of magnesium, the resulting salt would be zinc ethanoate. The reaction would be:

2CH3COOH + Zn → (CH3COO)2Zn + H2

It's important to note that not all metals react with ethanoic acid. Metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series will react, but those below, like copper, silver and gold, will not. This is because these less reactive metals cannot displace hydrogen from the ethanoic acid.

In summary, the reaction of ethanoic acid with metals is a typical example of an acid-metal reaction, resulting in the formation of a salt and the release of hydrogen gas. The specific salt formed depends on the metal used in the reaction.