11 Facts on HCl + Mg: With Several Elements Reaction

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HCl is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor and Mg is a chemical element. Let us examine the following discussions on the reaction between HCl and Mg.

Hydrochloric acid is also known as muriatic acid. It appears colorless and has a molar mass of 36.458 g/mol. The physical properties of HCl are affected by its concentration. Mg is the 8th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. It can be found in large quantities in magnesite and dolomite.

In this article, “HCl+Mg” the product, type of reaction, and the method to balance this reaction are briefly discussed along with some related topics.

What is the product of HCl and Mg?

HCl + Mg results in the production of magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. The reaction can be represented as,

Mg + HCl → MgCl2 + H2

What type of reaction is HCl + Mg?

HCl + Mg is a single replacement reaction. A single replacement reaction is what the name implies because one metal is replacing another. Generally, a single replacement reaction can be represented as

A + ED → AD + E

There are two conditions,

  • A and D should be distinct metals (or any element that forms a cation like hydrogen) and E an anion or,
  • A and D should be halogens and E is a cation.

How to balance HCl + Mg?

For HCl + Mg the procedure for balancing the general equation is detailed below, with step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Find the number of atoms in reactants and products.

On each side of the chemical equation, count up the number of Mg, Cl, and H atoms. On the reactants side 1 H, 1 Cl, and 1 Mg atoms are present. On the products side 1 Mg, 2 Cl, and 2 H are present.

Mg + HCl → MgCl2 + H2

Step 2: Put the required numbers before the compounds.

To balance the equation, only adjust the coefficients ie, of the numbers before the atoms or compounds. Now, the reactant side contains 1 Mg, 2 H, and 2 Cl atoms. On the product side 1 Mg, 2 H, and 2Cl are present.

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

Step 3: Writing the balanced equation

The balanced equation can be expressed by changing the coefficients on both sides to read as,

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

HCl + Mg net ionic equation

HCl + Mg net ionic equation can be written in four steps for the hydrochloric acid and magnesium reaction.

Step 1: Balance the molecular equation first.

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

Step 2: Write the states of matter of each element present in the reaction.

Mg (solid) + 2HCl (aqueous) → MgCl2 (aqueous) + H2 (gas)

Step 3: Represent the soluble compounds as ions.

Mg (s) + 2H+Cl– (aq) → Mg2+ Cl2 – (aq) + H2 (g)

Mg + 2H+ + 2Cl– → Mg2+ + 2Cl– + H2

Step 4: By crossing out, balance the number of ions on both sides of the reaction.

Mg(s) + 2H+ (aq) → Mg2+ (aq) + H2 (g)

HCl and Mg intermolecular forces

The main intermolecular force present in HCl is the dipole-dipole force. Because HCl is a polar molecule without hydrogen bonds.

Is HCl + Mg a buffer solution?

HCl + Mg, the mixture of these two solutes would not result in a buffer solution because hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid rather than a weak acid.

Is HCl + Mg a complete reaction?

HCl + Mg is a complete reaction resulting in a single replacement reaction. This reaction serves as an example of the typical metal-acid reaction.

Is HCl + Mg an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

The HCl+Mg reaction is exothermic, so a lot of heat is released during this reaction.

Is HCl + Mg a redox reaction?

HCl + Mg is a redox reaction. Here, magnesium is a reactant and oxidized to Mg2+. Hydrogen is reduced from H+ to hydrogen gas.

Is HCl + Mg reversible or irreversible reaction?

HCl + Mg gives an irreversible reaction. Magnesium reacts with diluted hydrochloric acid to produce a magnesium chloride solution and hydrogen gas. But when hydrogen is added to a magnesium chloride solution, neither the magnesium nor the hydrochloric acid will be restored.

Is HCl + Mg displacement reaction?

In HCl + Mg, magnesium displaces hydrogen in a chloride molecule because it is more reactive than hydrogen, resulting in a single displacement reaction. When two electrons are lost, magnesium is oxidized, and when two electrons are gained, hydrogen is reduced.

Mg (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → MgCl 2 (aq) + H 2 (g)

Conclusion

Magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas are the byproducts of the reaction between HCl and magnesium. This is a single replacement reaction and an exothermic reaction. HCl and magnesium react in an irreversible manner.