Balance Mg + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂
Mg(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g)
Balance an equation
Mg(s)+2HCl(aq)→MgCl₂(aq)+H₂(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| H | 1:2 | 2:2 |
| Cl | 1:2 | 2:2 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, MgCl₂: put 1 in front of it.
- Mg: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Mg.
- Cl: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HCl.
- H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂ (1 × 2 = 2).
- Check: Mg 1 = 1, H 2 = 2, Cl 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Magnesium reacts quickly with dilute hydrochloric acid, giving magnesium chloride and bubbles of hydrogen.
Magnesium and hydrochloric acid: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for magnesium and hydrochloric acid?
Mg(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g). The coefficients are 1, 2, 1 and 1. Each side then has 1 Mg, 2 H and 2 Cl.
What type of reaction is magnesium and hydrochloric acid?
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Magnesium reacts quickly with dilute hydrochloric acid, giving magnesium chloride and bubbles of hydrogen.
How do you balance Mg + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂?
Start with the biggest formula, MgCl₂: put 1 in front of it. Mg: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Mg. Cl: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HCl. H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂ (1 × 2 = 2). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.