Write a balanced chemical equation, include phases, for the following acid reaction: HClO₃ reacting with Zn metal.

• A. HClO₃(aq) + Zn(l) → ZnClO₃(aq) + H(g)
• B. 2 HClO₃(aq) + Zn(l) → Zn(ClO₃)₂(aq) + 2 H(g)
• C. 2 HClO₃(aq) + 2 Zn(s) → 2 ZnClO₃(aq) + H₂(g)
• D. 2 HClO₃(aq) + Zn(s) → Zn(ClO₃)₂(aq) + H₂(g)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical reaction. The reactants are HClO3 (chloric acid) and Zn (zinc metal), and the products are Zn(ClO3)2 (zinc chlorate) and H2 (hydrogen gas).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas and phases: HClO3(aq) + Zn(s) → Zn(ClO3)2(aq) + H2(g).
3. Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start by balancing the chlorine atoms. Since there are two chlorine atoms in Zn(ClO3)2, you need two HClO3 molecules on the reactant side.
4. Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. There are two hydrogen atoms in two HClO3 molecules, which matches the two hydrogen atoms in one H2 molecule on the product side.
5. Finally, check the balance of zinc atoms. There is one zinc atom on both sides of the equation. The balanced chemical equation is: 2 HClO3(aq) + Zn(s) → Zn(ClO3)2(aq) + H2(g).