Final answer:
In the single replacement reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid, zinc displaces hydrogen to form zinc chloride in solution and releases hydrogen gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The products for the single replacement reaction between zinc (Zn) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) can be predicted based on the chemical reactivity of zinc, which is an active metal capable of displacing hydrogen from an acid in a hydrogen replacement reaction. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl₂(aq) + H₂(g)
When zinc solid is added to hydrochloric acid, zinc displaces the hydrogen in the acid to form zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) in aqueous solution and releases hydrogen gas (H₂). This type of reaction is indicative of zinc's placement in the activity series and its ability to undergo oxidation, where zinc atoms are oxidized to form Zn²⁺ ions.