Which reacts faster?

Question

Does Magnesium react faster in Hydrochloric acid or does calcium. Also, does magnesium react in water?

Answer 1

The reactivity rate of an element increases as you move down the group for metals. Since Ca is below Mg in the Alkaline earth metals, Ca will react faster under similar conditions. Ca will react with water and slowly form small bubbles of H2 gas. Mg does not react with water fast enough for us to see it form the bubbles of H2 like Ca does.