Metal and Acid

This is another simple reaction. When a magnesium ribbon is dropped into hydrochloric acid, it will begin to dissolve, although very slowly, giving the equation Mg+2HCl→MgCl2+H2. The magnesium in the ribbon reacts with the acid to form hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride solution. The reasons behind this are very similar to the metal displacement reaction, as the magnesium gives 1 electron to 2 hydrogen atoms, which appear as gas bubbles. The magnesium then bonds with the remaining chlorine atoms, forming magnesium chloride.