JAMB Chemistry 2022 Paper

Concept:Zinc undergoes oxidation because it loses electrons to hydrogen ions in the acid.Explanation:In the reaction $\mathrm{Zn} + 2\mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{ZnCl}_2 + \mathrm{H}_2$, the oxidation state of zinc changes from $0$ in $\mathrm{Zn}$ to $+2$ in $\mathrm{ZnCl}_2$.Losing electrons means zinc is oxidized, so it acts as the reducing agent.Hydrogen in $\mathrm{HCl}$ is reduced from $+1$ to $0$ in $\mathrm{H}_2$, so $\mathrm{HCl}$ is the oxidizing agent.Therefore, the most specific description of zinc in this reaction is that it is oxidized.Answer:A. oxidized