Half equations. (1 Viewer)

lpodnano

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This confuses me.
6. For the reaction between magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid write the:
a. Balanced formula equation:

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> MgCl2(aq) +H2(g)
Is that right?

b. 2 electron transfer half equations:

c. The full ionic equation and name the spectator ions (if any):

d. the net ionic equation:

Thanks :) and explanation would also be nice.
 

Pwnage101

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a) is correct, balanced and includes states. Well done.

b) First one is: Mg(s) ---> Mg[2+](aq) +2e[-] [OXIDATION - Loss of Electron(s)]
Second one is: 2H[+](aq) + 2e[-] ---> H2(g) [REDUCTION - Gain of Electron(s)]

It is clear there has been a transfer of electrons - Mg, which usually has 2 outer-shell electrons must lose these two, in order to form an ionic bond with the Cl[-], while at the same time 2H[+] (which is just a proton {and possible a neutron or two, depending on the isotope - but this is irrelevant - the main thing to note is that this species has NO Electron}) has become H2(g), which has a covalent bond, and the molecule has a total of 2 electrons - The 2 electrons lost by the Mg must have been trasnferred here.

c) We just take the equation in (a) and split up into ions where possible, so:

Mg(s) + 2H[+](aq) + 2Cl[-](aq) -> Mg[2+](aq) + 2Cl[-](aq) +H2(g)

Clearly the Cl[-] is a spectator ion, as it is the same on the left and right hand sides - i.e. it is still in the same ionic form - nothing has really changed, it just changed from being ionic-ly bonded to H[+] to being ionic-ly bonded with Mg[2+], whereas all other species have changed into/from ions.

d) For the net ionic equation, we just take our equation in (c) and remove the spectator ion(s):

Mg(s) + 2H[+](aq) ---> Mg[2+](aq) + H2(g)

A word on my notation: i have used square brackets to denote what should be in superscript (the charge on the atom).

If still confused, refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_equation#Ionic_equations.
 
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