Study of the First Element — Hydrogen — Question 8

The conditions necessary for the reaction of steam with a metal and a non-metal to liberate hydrogen are:

1. Presence of steam — Steam (water vapor) is required for this reaction to occur.
2. Heat — The reaction is typically carried out at high temperatures to facilitate the reaction between the metal or non-metal and steam.

Reaction of Zinc (metal) with steam to liberate hydrogen:

$\underset{\text{heated}}{\text{Zn}} + \underset{\text{steam}}{\text{H}_2\text{O}} \longrightarrow \text{ZnO} + \text{H}_2 \uparrow$

Reaction of Carbon (non-metal) with steam to liberate hydrogen:

$\underset{\text{Red Hot Coke}}{\text{C}} + \underset{\text{steam}}{\text{H}_2\text{O}} \longrightarrow \underbrace{\text{CO} + \text{H}_2}_{\text{Water gas}}$