Reactions of Magnesium
Water: When exposed to steam, magnesium changes from magnesium to magnesium oxide and hydrogen.
Mg(s)+H2O(g)→MgO(s)+H2(g)
When exposed to cold water, the reaction is a bit different. The reaction does not stop because the magnesium hydroxide gets insoluble in water.
Mg(s)+2H2O(g)→Mg(OH)2(s)+H2(g)
Oxygen: When exposed to oxygen, magnesium turns into magnesium oxide.
2Mg(s)+O2(g)→2MgO(s)
Hydrogen: When exposed to hydrogen, magnesium turns into magnesium hydride.
Mg(s)+H2(g)→MgH2(s)
Nitrogen: When reacted with nitrogen, magnesium turns into magnesium nitride.
3Mg(s)+N2(g)→Mg3N2(s)
Halogens: When reacted with a halogen, magnesium is very reactive. An example will be with chloride. When reacted with chloride, the product is magnesium(II) chloride.
Mg(s)+Cl2(g)→MgCl2(s)
Acids: When reacted with acids, magnesium dissolves and forms solutions that have both the Mg(II) ion and hydrogen gas.
Mg(s)+2HCl(aq)→Mg2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)+H2(g)
Bases: When reacted with bases, magnesium react.
