Question

How does magnesium react with hydrochloric acid?

Answer 1

`"Magnesium metal + hydrochloric acid"`
`rarr` `"magnesium chloride + dihydrogen gas"`

Explanation:

Magnesium metal is oxidized to `Mg^(2+)`.

`Mg(s) rarr Mg^(2+) + 2e^(-)`

Protium ion is REDUCED to dihydrogen gas:

`H^+ + e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g)`

And thus the net ionic equation is, `Mg(s) + 2H^(+) rarr Mg^(2+) + H_2(g)uarr`

Overall:

`Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) rarr MgCl_2(aq) + H_2(g)uarr`

Are all these equations balanced with respect to both MASS and CHARGE? If not they should be!