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Remember that an acid reacts with a metal to produce hydrogen gas.

Apparatus and chemicals

• Boiling tubes
• Delivery tube
• Test tube
• Basin
• Boiling tube rack
• Measuring cylinder (25 cm³) safety glasses, wooden splint
• 1 mol/dm³ hydrochloric acid
• 1 mol/dm³ ethanoic acid
• 2 x 1 cm strips of magnesium ribbon

Method

1. Fill the basin and test-tube with water, let the test tube rest on the bottom of the basin
2. Measure 20 cm³ of ethanoic acid using the measuring cylinder and add to the boiling tube
3. Repeat step 2 with hydrochloric acid, place both boiling tubes in the boiling tube rack
4. Add the magnesium strip to each boiling tube – ensuring that the Mg is fully immersed in the acid, allow the reaction to proceed for 10 seconds and record your observations.