* Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is a reactive metal and will readily react with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
* Zinc (Zn): Zinc is also a reactive metal and will react with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Reaction Equations:
* Magnesium: Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
* Zinc: Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Why these metals react:
These metals react with dilute hydrochloric acid because they are more reactive than hydrogen. In the reactivity series, magnesium and zinc are higher than hydrogen. This means they can displace hydrogen from its compound (HCl) to form a salt and release hydrogen gas.
