Nature of reactants

• Apparatus + chemicals needed: Magnesium, zinc, dilute hydrochloric acid, water, conical flask, tubing, glass trough, graduated cylinder

  1. Add magnesium ribbon to dilute HCl and immediately put a stopper on the conical flask.
  2. Start the stopwatch as soon as the magnesium contacts the dilute HCl.
  3. Every 30 seconds, record the volume of hydrogen produced by looking at the graduated cylinder until the reaction stops.
  4. Repeat the experiment using zinc instead of magnesium - the zinc generates hydrogen slower.
• The hydrogen can be tested for by placing a lit flame in the hydrogen. The flame will produce a 'pop' sound when in hydrogen.
• Word formula:

  • Magnesium + hydrochloric acid -> magnesium chloride + hydrogen
  • Zinc + hydrochloric acid -> zinc chloride + hydrogen
• Chemical formula:

  • Mg + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2
  • Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2