Question

(2 points) Well, we might as well try a similar question. Magnesium metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas and an aqueous solution of magnesium (II) chloride. What substance is being oxidize

Answer 1

Answer: In the given chemical equation, the substance getting oxidized is magnesium metal.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxidation reaction is defined as the chemical reaction in which an atom looses its electrons. The oxidation number of the atom gets increased during this reaction.

`X\rightarrow X^(n+)+ne^-`

The chemical equation for the reaction of magnesium and hydrochloric acid follows:

`Mg(s)+2HCl(aq.)\rightarrow MgCl_2(aq.)+H_2(g)`

The half reaction for the above equation follows:

Oxidation half reaction:
`Mg(s)\rightarrow Mg^(+)(aq.)+2e^-`

Reduction half reaction:
`2H^+(aq.)\rightarrow H_2(g)+2e^-`

Hence, in the given chemical equation, the substance getting oxidized is magnesium metal.