What is the balanced equation for Zn plus H2SO4?

Answer 1

Zn + H2SO4 ---> ZnSO4 + H2Zn is the formulaic notation for the element 'Zinc' and H2SO4 is the formulaic notation for 'Sulphuric Acid'. These two react together to form ZnSO4 + H2, that is Zinc Sulphate and Hydrogen gas.

This is actually a Redox (reduction/Oxidation) reaction, the Zinc is usually reacted in its solid form with aqueous Sulphuric acid. In this case the Zinc is to be oxidised, the hydrogen is to be reduced and the SO4 (or sulphate) is a spectator ion (which means it plays no actual part in the reaction.) The H2 is suspended in solution in its ionic form (due to the partially polar conditions of water) This Zinc DONATES its valence electrons (forming Zn2+, an ionic form of zinc) and the Hydrogen ACCEPTS these electrons (going from 2H+ to H2, gaining an electronically stable outer shell) The Donation of elections means that substance has been oxidised and the accepting of those electrons means that substance has been reduced. One cannot occur without the other.