What happens to magnesium particles when mixed with hydrochloric acid?
If you add Mg metal (Mg) to hydrochloric acid (HCl), the Mg will dissolve and will form bubbles of hydrogen gas (H2). As a result of the reaction, water vapour will also be released, and when measuring the volume of H2(g), you need to take into account that water vapour is mixed with the H2(g). When the Mg dissolves, it forms magnesium ions with a +2 charge (Mg2+) , and when the hydrogen atoms form H2 gas, they leave behind chloride ions, Cl-. Then, the Mg2+ ions will bond with the Cl- ions. Here is the single replacement reaction equation: Mg(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) A very similar reaction will happen if you add Mg to any strongly acidic solution, such as sulphuric acid.
