The reaction of Zinc with dilute and concentrated nitric acid, respectively produces

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TestHub · Accepted Answer

Zinc reacts differently with dilute and concentrated nitric acid due to the varying reduction potentials and reaction kinetics.

With dilute HNO₃, zinc reduces nitrate ions to nitrous oxide (N₂O).

$4 Zn + 10 HNO_{3} (d i l u t e) \to 4 Zn (N O_{3})_{2} + N_{2} O + 5 H_{2} O$

With concentrated HNO₃, zinc reduces nitrate ions to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

$Zn + 4 HNO_{3} (co n c .) \to Zn (N O_{3})_{2} + 2 N O_{2} + 2 H_{2} O$

Therefore, the reaction of zinc with dilute and concentrated nitric acid produces N₂O and NO₂ respectively.

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