Final answer:
When 3M sulfuric acid is diluted with zinc, hydrogen gas is produced in a displacement reaction, which should be carried out with caution as it is exothermic.
Step-by-step explanation:
When 3M sulfuric acid is diluted with zinc, the correct response is b) Hydrogen gas is produced. This reaction is similar to when zinc reacts with other acids like hydrochloric acid, where the zinc displaces hydrogen from the acid, forming zinc sulfate and releasing hydrogen gas in the process. The reaction is represented by the chemical equation: Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g).
However, it is important to note that this reaction should be carried out with caution as the dissolution process can release a great deal of heat. While sulfuric acid can generate exothermic reactions in other scenarios, such as when reacting with water or in the formation of sulfur trioxide from sulfur dioxide and oxygen, the reaction with zinc produces hydrogen gas without the release of sulfur dioxide.