Question

Imagine that small pieces of the metals copper, magnesium and iron are placed in three test tubes labeled A, B, and C, respectively. If enough aqueous HCl is added to each tube to completely submerge the metal pieces, predict the products that will form in each test tube.

Answer 1

A) Cu

Cu + 2HCl --> CuCl2 + H2(g)

Products predicted: Copper(II) choloride and hydrogen gas


B) Mg

Mg + 2HCl --> MgCl2 + H2

Products predicted: magnesium chloride + hygrogen gas

C) Fe

Fe +2 HCl -> FeCl2 + H2, or
2Fe +6 HCl -> 2FeCl3 + 3H2

Products predicted: Iron(II) chloride, iron (III) chloride and hydrogen gas.