Does magnesium react with hydrochloric acid?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether magnesium (Mg) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and likely seeks to understand the nature of this chemical reaction.
Answer
Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.
The final answer is magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.
More Information
When magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), the reaction is vigorous and produces hydrogen gas (H₂) and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂). The general chemical equation for this reaction is:
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g).
Tips
One common mistake is to assume that the reaction produces water instead of hydrogen gas. Remember, the product is hydrogen gas, not water.