Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas

A small piece of magnesium ribbon is placed in a Petri dish containing 1M hydrochloric acid.  For a large audience presentation, this demonstration should be viewed via a camera or document camera.  Students observe bubbles of hydrogen gas forming.

Curriculum Notes 

There are many places in the curriculum where this demonstration could be used. it is most commonly used when discussing the characteristic reactions of either metals or acids. It's also a great example of a single replacement reaction (an oxidation-reduction reaction) when discussing types of reactions. This demonstration may also be performed using a document projector if a dark background is used. Allow about 5 minutes for this demo.  A computer simulation is available to compliment and enhance this demonstration.

Learning Objectives

1. Magnesium metal is an active metal.  Magnesium will react with hydrochloric acid.

2.  Illustration of a single displacement reaction.  Illustration of an oxidation-reduction reaction.  Illustration of a reaction that produces a gas.

3. Write a balanced chemical equation and a net ionic equation.

Lead Time 

One day of lead time is required for this project.

Discussion 

Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid according to the equation: Mg(s) + 2 HCl(aq) --> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) This demonstration can be used to illustrate the characteristic reaction of metals with acid, a single replacement reaction, or to demonstrate the generation of hydrogen gas. The flammability of hydrogen gas can be demonstrated by carefully holding a match or fireplace lighter up to the popping hydrogen bubbles. An audible crackling sound is heard as the hydrogen burns.

The net ionic equation for this reaction is: Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) --> Mg2+(aq) + H2(g)

Materials 

  • Petri dish
  • 1cm strip of magnesium ribbon
  • wash bottle containing 1M HCl
  • forceps
  • overhead projector
  • (Optional) butane fireplace lighter

Procedure 

Mechanics of presenting this demonstration

Turn on the camera and focus it. Place the Petri dish on the overhead projector. Pour hydrochloric acid into the Petri dish to a depth of about 5 mm. Using forceps, place the magnesium ribbon into the Petri dish. The magnesium reacts with the acid, producing visible bubbles of hydrogen gas. 

(Optional) If the flame of a butane fireplace lighter is held above the bursting bubbles, they will produce audible pops as the hydrogen ignites.

Safety Precautions 

Magnesium ribbon is a flammable solid. Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive liquid. Hydrogen gas is explosive. However, the very small quantities and low dilutions used in or produced by this demo present little hazard. Wear safety goggles. Keep flammables and open flame away from the vicinity of the demo.

Footnotes 

1. B.Z. Shakhashiri; Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry; Wisconsin; 1985; Volume 1; p. 25-26.

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The balanced chemical equation is:
#Mg_((s))+ 2HCl_((aq))rarrMgCl_(2(aq)) + H_(2(g)#

Explanation:

The reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid combine to form a salt of magnesium chloride and release hydrogen gas. This single replacement reaction is a classic example of a metal reacting in an acid to release hydrogen gas.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER

You can watch this reaction in the video below.

Video Transcript

I start with the balanced chemical equation given to us in this question: magnesium, solid, plus, 2 hydrochloric acid, produces magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas and were told that .729 grams of magnesium reacted. We are asked to solve for the volume of h 2 gas. At s. T p, that is produced reacting with an excess of each cl. So let's use our stoic geometry to answer .729 g of magnesium and the molar mass of magnesium is given to us as 24.3 grams per mole and our store. Heometry tells us that 1 mole of magnesium will produce 1 mole of hydrogen gas and t 1 mole of hydrogen gas. Has the molar volume 22.4 liter? So this would give me .729 divided by 24.3 times 1 over 1 times 22.4, and this works out 2.672 liters of hydrogen gas. That would be produced.

How do you balance Mg HCl → MgCl2 H2?

To balance the hydrogen atoms, 2 should be written as a co-efficient of the hydrogen atoms present on the reactant side. That is, Mg + 2 HCl → MgCl 2 + H 2 , now both product and reactant side contains 2 Hydrogens. Hence now the equation is balanced.

What type of reaction is hydrochloric acid magnesium → hydrogen magnesium chloride?

It is displacement reaction as magnesium is displacing hydrogen to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Why does magnesium and hydrochloric acid produce hydrogen gas?

Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid, producing hydrogen gas according to equation 1. When the magnesium reacts with the acid, the evolved hydrogen gas is collected by water displacement and its volume measured.

What is the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid?

The reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid combine to form a salt of magnesium chloride and release hydrogen gas. This single replacement reaction is a classic example of a metal reacting in an acid to release hydrogen gas.