If the products of a neutralization reaction are MgBr2(aq) and H2O(l), what are the chemical formulas of the reactant acid and base?
• HBr and Mg(OH)2
• OHBr and MgH
• HBr and MgO
HBr and MgOH2
The correct chemical formulas of the reactant acid and base in this neutralization reaction are HBr and Mg(OH)2.
In a neutralization reaction, an acid reacts with a base to produce a salt and water. From the given products of the reaction (MgBr2(aq) and H2O(l)), we can determine the chemical formulas of the reactant acid and base.
The formula MgBr2 indicates that magnesium (Mg) combines with two bromine atoms (Br) from the acid. The only option that contains bromine (Br) as an element is HBr. Therefore, the reactant acid is HBr.
Now, let's consider the formula H2O. It suggests that hydrogen (H) combines with oxygen (O) from the base. Among the options, the only one that contains oxygen (O) as an element is MgO. Hence, the reactant base is MgO.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Reactant acid: HBr
Reactant base: MgO
To determine the chemical formulas of the reactant acid and base in a neutralization reaction, we need to consider that the reaction involves the transfer of a proton (H+).
In the given reaction, the product is MgBr2(aq), which tells us that magnesium (Mg) forms a compound with bromine (Br). Since bromide is a halide ion with a -1 charge, the magnesium ion in the reactant base must have a +2 charge to balance the overall charge of the compound. Therefore, the reactant base is Mg(OH)2 because hydroxide (OH-) is the base that contains the hydroxyl group.
H2O(l) is formed as a product, and water is always formed when an acid reacts with a base in a neutralization reaction. Thus, the reactant acid must be the compound that, when combined with water, will yield a proton (H+). In this case, it is HBr (hydrobromic acid) since when water reacts with HBr, the proton (H+) is transferred to form H3O+ (hydronium ion) and bromide (Br-) ion.
Therefore, the correct answer is: HBr and Mg(OH)2.