Question

Why would magnesium dissolve in water?

Answer 1

Mg oxidizes quite readily, meaning it surrenders two electrons to many different oxidizing agents (chemicals that will acquire electrons. Water is one of these.

Explanation:

So, the dissolving of the magnesium occurs as a consequence of the magnesium atoms first becoming magnesium ions through the following oxidation (known as a half-reaction, because it only describes half of the process taking place):

`Mg(s) rarr Mg^(2+) + 2e^-`

This can be caused by the reduction of water (the other half of the process)

`2H_2O + 2e^- rarr H_2+2 OH^-`