4.3.1

Reactions of Metals with Acids

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Reaction of Metals with Acids

When acids react with metals, hydrogen and a salt are always formed. The first part of the salt's name comes from the metal involved. The second part of the name comes from the acid.

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Example 1

  • Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
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Example 2

  • Zinc + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate + hydrogen
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Example 3

  • Iron + sulfuric acid → iron sulfate + hydrogen

Redox Reactions

Redox reactions involve a reduction reaction (one reactant gains electrons) and an oxidation reaction (one reactant loses electrons). Here, we will look at the example of reacting magnesium with hydrochloric acid.

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Magnesium + hydrochloric acid

  • Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
  • Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2(g)
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Magnesium

  • Magnesium atoms are oxidised (loses electrons) to become Mg2+ ions.
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Chlorine

  • Cl- ions are unchanged.
  • They are spectator ions and aren't included in the ionic equation.
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Hydrogen

  • H+ ions are reduced (gains electrons) to become hydrogen atoms.
  • The atoms join together to form H2(g).

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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