Equations for Metals and Acids Write a balanced equation for the reaction of Al(s) with HCl(aq).
Write the reactants and products. When a metal reacts with an acid, the products are a salt and hydrogen gas.
\mathrm{Al}(s)\,+\,\mathrm{HCl}(a q)\,\longrightarrow\,\mathrm{salt}\,+\,\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)Determine the formula of the salt. When Al(s) reacts, it forms \mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}^{3+} , which is balanced by 3Cl¯ from HCl.
\mathrm{Al}(s)\,+\,\mathrm{HCl}(a q)\,\longrightarrow\,\mathrm{AlCl}_{3}(a q)\,+\,\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)Balance the equation.
2\mathrm{Al}(s)\,+\,6\mathrm{HCl}(a q)\,\longrightarrow\,2\mathrm{AlCl}_{3}(a q)\,+\,3\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)