Reason for no production of H2 gas when Zinc reacts with dilute nitric acid:

When Zinc reacts with dilute nitric acid, the expected reaction is the formation of Zinc nitrate and hydrogen gas. However, this reaction does not take place, and no hydrogen gas is produced. The reason for this is due to the oxidizing nature of nitric acid.

Explanation:

When Zinc reacts with dilute nitric acid, the nitric acid acts as an oxidizing agent and oxidizes the hydrogen gas that is produced to water and nitrogen oxide. This reaction is given as follows:

Zn + 2HNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + H2O + NO2

In this reaction, nitric acid is reduced to nitrogen oxide, and Zinc is oxidized to Zinc nitrate. The hydrogen gas that is produced is further oxidized to water and nitrogen oxide.

The oxidation of hydrogen gas to water and nitrogen oxide occurs due to the presence of nitrate ions in dilute nitric acid. Nitrate ions act as an oxidizing agent and oxidize the hydrogen gas to water and nitrogen oxide. This oxidation reaction is exothermic and releases energy in the form of heat.

In conclusion, the reason why Zinc does not produce hydrogen gas when it reacts with dilute nitric acid is due to the oxidizing nature of nitric acid, which oxidizes the hydrogen gas to water and nitrogen oxide.

Nitric acid(HNO3) is a powerful oxidising agent. When zinc is added to dilute nitric acid the nascent oxygen[O] formed, oxidises the hydrogen molecule to water. Thus Hydrogen gas is not obtained. With cold, dilute nitric acid, the following reaction takes place: 3 Zn + 8 HNO3 = 3 Zn(NO3)2 + 2 NO + 4 H2O But with hot, concentrated HNO3, reddish brown nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is produced. Zn + 4 HNO3 = Zn(NO3)2 + 2 NO2 + 2 H2O UPvote if that helps;)