Question

When magnesium is added to hydrochloric acid, a gas is formed. Explain what happens in the reaction, how the gas is collected and how it could be tested to prove what it is.

Answer 1

Explained below.

Step-by-step explanation:

Formula when magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid is given by;

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) = MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

So, from the equation, we can see that the gas formed is hydrogen.

This hydrogen gas is collected by a method known as water displacement.

This gas can be tested for by holding a burning splint near to the top of the test container. The resulting effect should be a high pitched pop sound because the hydrogen gas will react with the oxygen gas in the air to result in a small explosion.