Question

(a) A metal in the powdered form reacts very slowly with boiling water, but it decomposes in steam. Name the metal.

(b) Write a balanced equation for the reaction occuring in (a).

Answer 1

(a). The metal is Magnesium, Mg.

(b).

$Mg+H_{2}O⟶MgO+H_2$

It can form $Mg(OH{)}_2$ in case of higher concentration of water. But the reaction proceeds at slower rate.