Write the reaction of hydrochloric acid with the active metal magnesium.

Balancing chemical equations is crucial in chemistry. It ensures that the same number of atoms of each element is present on both sides of the equation. This aligns with the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, follow these steps:
1. Write the unbalanced equation with the correct formulas of reactants and products.
2. Count the number of atoms of each element in both reactants and products.
3. Adjust the coefficients (the numbers before the formulas) to balance the atoms for each element.
4. Verify that the total number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.
For example, in the reaction between magnesium (Mg) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), the unbalanced equation is: Mg + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂. To balance it:

• Mg atoms: 1 on both sides, so they are balanced.
• H atoms: 1 on the left and 2 on the right. Balance by placing coefficient 2 before HCl.
• Cl atoms: 1 on the left and 2 on the right. This is also balanced by the coefficient 2 before HCl.

So, the balanced reaction is Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂.

Acid-metal reactions are a type of chemical reaction where an acid reacts with a metal to produce a salt and hydrogen gas. These reactions are exothermic, meaning they release heat. To perform an acid-metal reaction:
1. Choose the active metal and acid. Common acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
2. Write the general equation: Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen gas.
For example, when magnesium (Mg) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), it forms magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) and hydrogen gas (H₂). The general reaction for this is: Metal (Mg) + Acid (HCl) → Salt (MgCl₂) + H₂.
Acid-metal reactions are also useful for generating hydrogen gas and are fundamental in understanding the reactivity series of metals.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong, corrosive acid widely used in various industrial and laboratory applications. It is a solution of hydrogen chloride gas in water and is known for its ability to react vigorously with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas.
Key properties of hydrochloric acid include:
• Strong acid with high acidity
• Corrosive and can cause burns
• Reacts with metals, oxides, and hydroxides
For example, in the reaction with magnesium (Mg), HCl acts as the proton donor (acid) and Mg as the electron donor (metal). This reaction can be written as:
Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂. Workplace safety is paramount when handling HCl due to its corrosive nature. Proper protective equipment, like gloves and goggles, should always be worn.
Understanding these reactions can help you safely perform experiments and predict the outcomes of various acid-metal reactions.