2.5 Acids, Bases and Salts

Acid Reactions with Metals and Carbonates

• The most reactive metals, at the bottom of groups 1 and 2, react vigorously with water and acids.
• All other metals are less reactive than those in groups 1 and 2.
• When metals do react with acids, H₂gas is usually released
• 2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) --> MgCl₂(s) + H₂(g)

• Carbonates (-CO₃) neutralize acids, protecting locations with natural carbonate supplies from acid precipitation.
• H₂SO₄(aq) + CaCO₃(s) --> CaCO₄(s) + H₂O(aq) + CO₂(g)

sulphuric acid + calcium carbonate --> calcium carbonite + water + carbon dioxide