Question

Write the chemical equation for the reaction: Al(s) + HCl(aq) → AlCl₃(aq) + H₂(g).

a. Al(s) + HCl(aq) → AlCl₃(aq) + H₂(g)
b. Al(s) + 3HCl(aq) → AlCl₃(aq) + 2H₂(g)
c. 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl₃(aq) + 3H₂(g)
d. Al(s) + 2HCl(aq) → AlCl₂(aq) + H₂(g)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aluminum (Al) with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) and hydrogen gas (H₂) is 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl₃(aq) + 3H₂(g).

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical equation for the reaction between aluminum (Al) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl₃(aq) + 3H₂(g). This equation represents a single displacement reaction where aluminum displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid, forming aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in aqueous solution and releasing hydrogen gas (H2) in the process. The overall reaction is balanced, with the aluminum (Al) providing three electrons to form Al3+, which then forms AlCl3 with the chloride ions (Cl−), while the hydrogen ions (H+) from the acid combine to produce hydrogen gas.

Step-by-Step Reaction Balancing:

1. Write the unbalanced reaction: Al(s) + HCl(aq) → AlCl3(aq) + H2(g).
2. Balance aluminum: 2Al(s) on left requires 2AlCl3(aq) on the right.
3. Balance chloride ions: Each Al3+ needs 3 Cl−, resulting in 6 Cl− ions from 6 HCl molecules.
4. Balance hydrogen: 6 H+ ions from HCl produce 3 H2 molecules.