Question

What is the reaction of metals and non – metals with dilute acids?
A.Both form water and salt
B.Both form water and oxygen
C.Metal forms salt and hydrogen whereas non-metals do not react
D.Both do not react with dilute acids

Answer 1

To solve this question, we must first understand the chemical characteristics of metals and non-metals. We must then discuss the degree of interaction a weak acid is capable of and then derive conclusions from this discussion.

Complete Step-by-Step Answer:
Before we move forward with the solution of the given question, let us first understand some important basic concepts.
Metals are those elements that have half-filled or less than half-filled valence shells. This makes their atoms capable of donating their lone pairs of electrons to other chemical species when they are involved in chemical reactions. These dispensable electrons are also responsible for metals being good conductors of heat and electricity. This property oof being able to donate lone pairs of electrons is known as basicity and hence, metals can be identified as Lewis bases.
On the other hand, non – metals have the tendency to accept lone pairs of electrons to complete their octets and achieve a more stable electronic configuration. This property of being able to accept lone pairs of electrons is known as acidity and hence, non -metals can be identified as Lewis acids.
When any element or compound is reacted with any other substance, there is an interaction between their elementary particles which either leads to making or breaking of chemical bonds. Some acids are called weak acids because the degree of their interaction with other chemical species is very low as compared to other acidic compounds. Because of this, weak acids are not able to react completely with other chemical species.
When an acid and a base react with each other, it results in the formation of salt and water. But when weak acids react with bases (or in this case metals), they tend to form salts and release only hydrogen gas instead of water. Also, weak acids are not capable of reacting with other acids (in this case non - metals)

Hence, Option C is the correct option

Note: Some examples of weak acids include formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitrous acid, sulphurous acid, phosphoric acid, etc.