Metals and Acids

Part of the Oxidation and Reduction section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 18 of 27.

Metals above H react with dilute acids: the metal is oxidized, H⁺ is reduced to H₂.

Magnesium fizzing in hydrochloric acid, and the hydrogen gas it gives collected in a container

A metal above hydrogen gives hydrogen gas with an acid

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂, or as ions Mg + 2H⁺ → Mg²⁺ + H₂.

Higher in the series, faster: Mg fast, Zn steady, Fe slow, Cu none.

Challenge

Iron filings are added to hydrochloric acid and bubbles of hydrogen rise: Fe + HCl → FeCl₂ + H₂. Which element is oxidized, and which is reduced?

Try it yourself

Oxidation numbersFollow the electrons

FeHClFeCl₂H₂

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Oxidation and Reduction

1Electron Transfer

4Metals and Reactivity

2Redox Reactions

5Electrochemistry

3Half-Equations

6Practice Problems