Reactions of acids with metals

Acids take part in reactions in which salts are

produced. In these reactions, the hydrogen ions in
the acids are replaced by metal ions.
Reactions of acids with metals
When acids react with metals, the products are a
salt and hydrogen. In general:
Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
For example:
Hydrochloric acid + magnesium → magnesium
chloride + hydrogen
2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Zinc and iron also react with hydrochloric acid.
Magnesium, zinc and iron also react with sulfuric
acid. The products are a salt (in this case a sulfate)
and hydrogen. For example:
sulfuric acid + iron → iron(II) sulfate + hydrogen
H2SO4(aq) + Fe(s) → FeSO4(aq) + H2(g)
Explaining the reactions of acids with
metals - Higher
The reactions of acids with metals are redox
reactions. For example, the ionic equation for
 the reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric
acid is:
2H+(aq) + Mg(s) → Mg2+(aq) + H2(g)
This ionic equation can be split into two half
equations:
 Mg(s) → Mg2+(aq) + 2e- (oxidation)
 2HCl (aq) + 2e  → HCl2(g) (reduction)
+ -

Notice that:
 magnesium atoms lose electrons - they
are oxidised
 hydrogen ions gain electrons - they

are reduced
Reduction and oxidation happen at the
same time, so the reactions are called redox
reactions.