When an acid reacts with a metal, a salt and hydrogen gas are produced. For example, when zinc (Zn) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2) are formed. The chemical equation is:
\[
Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) \rightarrow ZnCl_2 (aq) + H_2 (g)
\]