What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron fillings?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is option 1. Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.
When dilute hydrochloric acid \((HCl)\) is added to iron fillings \((Fe)\), a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction is a classic example of a single displacement reaction, where one element displaces another in a compound. The reaction can be represented by the following equation:
\[ \text{Fe (s)} + 2HCl (aq) \rightarrow FeCl_2 (aq) + H_2 (g) \]
In this reaction:
Iron \((Fe)\) reacts with hydrochloric acid \((HCl)\).
The iron displaces the hydrogen in the hydrochloric acid to form iron chloride \((FeCl_2)\) and hydrogen gas \((H_2)\).
Iron chloride is a soluble compound that remains in the solution.
Hydrogen gas is released as a product and can be observed as bubbles.
So, the overall result of adding dilute hydrochloric acid to iron fillings is the production of hydrogen gas and iron chloride.