Question

What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron fillings? Tick the correct answer.

• A. Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.
• B. Chlorine gas and iron hydroxide are produced.
• C. No reaction takes place
• D. Iron salt and water are produced.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.

Explanation:

• In a single displacement reaction, a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from to form two product species. Elements present above in the activity series can displace the element present below it in the series.
• In the reaction between metal and hydrochloric acid or hydrogen chloride $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, metal displaces hydrogen $\left(\mathrm{H}\right)$ from hydrochloric acid and forms metal chloride and hydrogen molecule $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$.
• Since Iron $\left(\mathrm{Fe}\right)$ is present above hydrogen in the activity series, it displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid to form Iron (II) chloride $\left({\mathrm{FeCl}}_2\right)$and hydrogen gas $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$.

$\mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{FeCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Final Answer:

Hence, the correct option is A.