What happens when a metal reacts with an acid?

1 Answer
Manish Bhardwaj · Meave60
Nov 26, 2014

Acids reacts with reactive metals, such as magnesium and zinc, to make a salt and hydrogen.

Explanation:

Acids reacts with reactive metals, such as magnesium and zinc, to make a salt and hydrogen.

acid + metal #rarr# salt + hydrogen

For example:

magnesium + sulfuric acid #rarr# magnesium sulfate + hydrogen

#"Mg"("s")# + #"H"_2"SO"_4("aq")# → #"MgSO"_4("aq")# + #"H"_2("g")#

The hydrogen causes bubbling during the reaction. It can be detected using a lighted splint, which causes the gas to burn with a squeaky pop.

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