Question

Magnesium sulfate can be made by reacting magnesium metal with an acid. A gas is also produced. Name this gas.

Answer 1

Answer:

M

g

+

H

2

S

O

4

→

M

g

S

O

4

+

H

2

Explanation:

Magnesium combined with sulfuric acid produces magnesium sulfate and hydrogen gas.

Reactants:

The symbol for magnesium is

M

g

.

The formula for sulfuric acid is

H

2

S

O

4

Products:

Magnesium forms a

2

+

ion:

M

g

2

+

The sulfate ion has a charge of

2

−

:

S

O

2

−

4

The charges balance and thus the formula for

magnesum sulfate is

M

g

S

O

4

Hydrogen gas is diatomic:

H

2

M

g

+

H

2

S

O

4

→

M

g

S

O

4

+

H

2

The reaction is balanced as written. Each side has one magnesium atom, two hydrogen atoms and one sulfate ion.