zinc is a reactive metal. it is about as reactive as aluminium and more reactive than most of the more common metals, such as iron, copper, nickel, and chromium. it is less reactive than magnesium. zinc can react with acids, bases, and nonmetals. it does not rust in air, though. a coating of zinc oxide and zinc carbonate forms on the surface of the zinc when it is in air. this coating stops corrosion. acids can dissolve this coating and react with the zinc metal. this reaction of zinc with an acid makes a zinc(ii) salt such as zinc chloride and hydrogen gas. this is a very common chemical reaction. the reaction below is the reaction with hydrochloric acid.