g The alkali metals are able to displace hydrogen readily from water. The alkaline earth metals are able to do so as well, although not nearly as vigorously. They are easily able to displace hydrogen from acid. a: Write and balance the equation for any of the alkali metals (pick your favorite!) reacting with water to form hydrogen gas and the metal's hydroxide (e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide). (10 points) b: Write and balance the equation for any of the alkaline earth metals (the second column on the left) reacting with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen gas and the metal's chloride salt (e.g. magnesium chloride, calcium chloride) (10 points)

In writing a chemical reaction equation, we must ensure that it is balanced. In a balanced chemical reaction equation, the number of atoms of each element on the left hand side of the reaction equation must be equal to the number of atoms of the same atom on the right hand side of the reaction equation.

Let us now consider the reaction of NaOH with water as follows;

2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ------> 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

For the reaction of Magnesium metal and HCl we have;

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) -------> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)