Here's why:
* Aluminum (Al) is a more reactive metal than hydrogen (H).
* Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is an acid that contains hydrogen ions (H+).
* When aluminum reacts with hydrochloric acid, the aluminum displaces the hydrogen from the acid, forming aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and releasing hydrogen gas (H2).
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:
2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)
Key characteristics of a single displacement reaction:
* One element replaces another element in a compound.
* The reaction usually involves a metal reacting with an acid or salt.
* The products are a new compound and a free element.
