Which of the following is a chemical property of zinc?

• A. Zinc is a bluish-white metal.
• B. Zinc is malleable at temperatures above 100 °C.
• C. Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas.
• D. Zinc has a melting point of 419.5 °C.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties: Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, while chemical properties describe how a substance interacts with other substances, resulting in a change in composition.
2. Review each statement and classify it as a physical or chemical property: For example, color, malleability, and melting point are physical properties because they describe observable characteristics without changing the substance.
3. Identify the statement that involves a chemical reaction: 'Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas' describes a chemical change where zinc interacts with another substance, forming new products.
4. Recognize that this reaction demonstrates a chemical property because it shows zinc's ability to undergo a chemical transformation.
5. Conclude that the chemical property of zinc is its reactivity with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas.