Question

Explain which type of chemical reaction occurs when mixing toilet bowl cleaner (i.e. The Works) and aluminum foil.

Answer 1

Mixing aluminum foil with a toilet bowl cleaner typically containing hydrochloric acid results in a redox and acid-base reaction, releasing hydrogen gas and heat, which can be dangerous.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chemical Reaction Between Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Aluminum Foil

When aluminum foil is mixed with a toilet bowl cleaner, such as 'The Works', which often contains hydrochloric acid, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction is a combination of a redox and acid-base reaction. The aluminum (Al) reacts with the hydrochloric acid (HCl) present in the cleaner, and hydrogen gas (H2) is released in the process. The overall chemical reaction can be represented as follows:

2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)

This reaction is exothermic, releasing heat. Such reactions can be dangerous, producing flammable hydrogen gas and should only be performed in controlled environments with appropriate safety precautions.

Answer 2

The mixing of toilet bowl cleaner and aluminum foil generally results in a redox reaction, producing aluminum chloride and hydrogen gas. This reaction is hazardous due to the corrosion potential and the evolution of flammable hydrogen gas.

Step-by-step explanation:

When toilet bowl cleaner, which often contains acidic compounds, is mixed with aluminum foil, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction is frequently characterized as a redox reaction, where the aluminum metal undergoes oxidation. Toilet bowl cleaners can contain dilute hydrochloric acid, for example. When aluminum foil comes into contact with such an acid, hydrogen gas may be released as a result of the redox process:

Al(s) + HCl(aq) → AlCl₃(aq) + H₂(g)

The reaction between aluminum foil and the acidic component of the toilet bowl cleaner ends up producing aluminum chloride and hydrogen gas. It is important to handle these reactions with care because the release of hydrogen gas can be hazardous, potentially leading to both chemical burns from the acidic solution and a risk of explosion from the flammable hydrogen gas being evolved.