Question

Solid aluminum reacts with a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to give a solution of aluminum chloride and hydrogen (H2) gas.

A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Solid aluminum typically does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid due to the formation of a protective oxide layer on its surface. This layer prevents further reaction, making the statement generally false. The answer is B) False.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aluminum is a reactive metal, but it does not react with hydrochloric acid in the same way as some other metals do. When aluminum comes into contact with air, it forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide on its surface, which acts as a protective layer and prevents further reaction with the surrounding environment. This oxide layer makes aluminum resistant to corrosion.

In the case of hydrochloric acid, the acid reacts with the aluminum oxide layer, producing aluminum chloride and hydrogen gas. The reaction can be represented as follows:

2 Al (s) + 6 HCl (aq) → 2 AlCl₃ (aq) + 3 H₂ (g)

However, the initial statement is generally false for aluminum in standard conditions due to the oxide layer, which inhibits the reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid.