Magnesium reacts readily with acids to produce a salt and hydrogen gas.
When magnesium comes into contact with an acid, a chemical reaction occurs where the magnesium atoms lose electrons and the hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid gain electrons. This process is characteristic of the reaction between reactive metals and acids.
The General Reaction
In the presence of acid, magnesium undergoes a displacement reaction. The magnesium displaces the hydrogen from the acid molecule.
The general word equation for the reaction between a metal like magnesium and an acid is:
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen Gas
Specific Example: Magnesium and Hydrochloric Acid
As highlighted in the reference, a common example is the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid (HCl):
When magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid, the salt magnesium chloride is formed along with hydrogen gas.
The chemical equation for this specific reaction is:
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g)
Mg(s)represents solid magnesium.HCl(aq)represents aqueous hydrochloric acid.MgCl₂(aq)represents aqueous magnesium chloride (the salt).H₂(g)represents hydrogen gas.
This reaction is typically vigorous and releases heat (exothermic). The production of hydrogen gas can often be seen as bubbles forming rapidly.
Products of the Reaction
Based on the reaction with hydrochloric acid, the main products are:
- Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂): This is a salt formed from the magnesium and the chloride ions from the acid. The specific salt formed depends on the type of acid used (e.g., sulfuric acid would form magnesium sulfate).
- Hydrogen Gas (H₂): This is a diatomic gas released during the reaction. The production of hydrogen gas is a key indicator of a metal-acid reaction.
Summary Table
Here is a simple table summarizing the specific example provided:
| Reactant 1 | Reactant 2 | Product 1 | Product 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | Hydrochloric Acid | Magnesium Chloride | Hydrogen Gas |
Mg |
HCl |
MgCl₂ |
H₂ |
This reaction is a fundamental concept in chemistry, illustrating the reactivity of metals and the properties of acids.
