Metal X conducts electricity when molten, has a high melting point,  and reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid. Is it...

  • A. ZINC
  • B. SILVER
  • C. COPPER
  • D. POTASSIUM

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Actually two of the answers are correct here.  Zinc, silver, copper, and potassium are all metals, so they all will have high melting points.  As metals, they will all conduct electricity in either the solid or liquid (molten) state.  But the final part of the question is really the key here.  Neither copper nor silver will readily react with dilute hydrochloric acid.  Zinc, however, will react with dilute HCl to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas (H2).  The equation is given below:

`Zn + 2HCl -gt ZnCl_2 + H_2`

The hydrogen gas will bubble from the solution and will light a flame in a classic lab experiment.  Potassium (K) will also react with just plain water (found in dilute HCl) to also form H2:

`2K + 2H_2O -gt 2KOH + H_2`

So both A and D are correct here.

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial