Yes, the reaction between zinc (Zn) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is indeed a redox reaction. In this process, zinc is oxidized, and hydrogen ions from the hydrochloric acid are reduced.
To understand this better, let’s break it down:
1. **Oxidation and Reduction**: Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. The term ‘redox’ derives from these two processes occurring simultaneously in a reaction.
2. **Identifying Oxidation and Reduction**: In the reaction, Zn starts with an oxidation state of 0 (as a solid metal) and ends up in ZnCl₂ with an oxidation state of +2. This indicates that zinc has lost two electrons, thus undergoing oxidation:
- Zn (0) → Zn²⁺ (+2) + 2e⁻
On the other hand, the hydrogen ions (H⁺) in HCl are reduced to form hydrogen gas (H₂), which has an oxidation state of 0. Here, each hydrogen ion gains an electron:
- 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H₂ (0)
3. **Conclusion**: Since we have one species (Zn) being oxidized and another (H⁺) being reduced, this reaction qualifies as a redox reaction. The transfer of electrons between zinc and hydrogen ions is what characterizes it as such. Therefore, the answer is yes, it is a redox reaction.