Why are the following metals not used in the lab. preparation of hydrogen ?
(a) calcium (b) iron (c) aluminium (d) sodium
Hydrogen may be prepared in the laboratory by the action of a metal on an acid.
(a) Which of the metals copper, zinc , magnesium or sodium would be the most suitable ?
(b) Which of the acids dilute sulphuric, concentrated sulphuric, dilute nitric acid and concentrated nitric would you choose ? Explain why you would not use the acids you reject.
(c) How would you modify your apparatus to collect dry hydrogen ? Which drying agent would you employ for this purpose ?