Question

How do you write a balanced reaction for magnesium with hydrochloric acid?

Answer 1

The priority is to write a stoichiometric equation that is balanced with respect to mass and charge.

Explanation:

The metal is sufficiently active so as to reduce hydrogen ion.

And we could use half-equations....i.e.

`Mg(s) rarr Mg^(2+) + 2e^(-)`...with an accompanying reduction...

`H^+ + e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(s)`

And we takes one of the former and add it TWO of the latter to give....

`Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) rarr MgCl_2(aq) + H_2(g)uarr`