Acetic acid + zinc.. No reaction

[420hydroxide]

Acetic acid (vinegar) is an acid zinc (Zn) is a metal, im pretty sure that when an acid plus metal mix they produce hydrogen gas and a salt, right? But when mixed, nothing happend, not even 1 bubble. Just sat there in the acetic acid. Im guessing The vinegar is too weak an acid, if this is the case how can i get my vinegar from 5% acidity to any higher,

Thanks

[emilievak]

Maybe reaction is to low to be observed ?

For a higher concentration you should try a distillation

[Suxamethonium]

First off, just to clarify that weak and concentrated are different concepts. If the acetic acid was too 'weak' it would not react regardless of concentration as weak is in reference to it's pKa. If the acetic acid wasn't concentrated enough (more likely) then you are correct and increasing concentration will cause an obvious reaction.

 

You could try to increase the concentration by distillation- fractional distillation could achieve a high percentage, but even a simple distillation setup should give noticeable improvement.

 

Alternatively, you could sit the reaction on a hot plate. The heat (like increasing concentration) will increase the reaction rate.

Edited April 9, 2012 by Suxamethonium

[Enthalpy]

Zinc resists attacks not too badly because its oxide holds firmly on the metal and is impermeable. This is why steel is commonly protected from water corrosion by a layer of zinc. Vinegar won't make much to it.