Magnesium is added to a solution to check for acidity. If the solution is an acid, what will happen?

2 Answers
Jul 1, 2016

Hydronium ion, H_3O^+ or H^+, will oxidize magnesium metal to give dihydrogen.

Explanation:

Mg(s) + 2H_3O^(+) rarr Mg^(2+) + H_2(g)uarr +2H_2O(l)

The acid and magnesium will together form a salt and H_2(g).

Explanation:

Magnesium is an active metal, which means that a salt and H_2 gas will be formed as a result of a chemical reaction with any acid. For example, if there is HCl (hydrochloric acid) in the solution, they will together form MgCl_2 and H_2.
Some other examples of chemical equations which include Mg and an acid:

2Mg + H_2SO_4 -> Mg_2SO_4 + H_2
Mg + 2HNO_3 -> Mg(NO_3)_2 + H_2
Mg + 2 H_3PO_4 = Mg(PO_4)_2 + 3 H_2