which one is correct?

Question

The mass you will use in the lab is in excess of the minimum required. What happens to the unused excess Mg(s)?copper(II) chloride dihydrate is reduced by Mg(s),

a)Nothing happens to the excess Mg(s)

b)Additional HCl(aq) is added and this reacts with Mg(s) to form Mg2+(aq)

c)The excess Mg(s) reacts with the copper compound produced from the original reduction reaction

d)The solution is heated to remove the excess Mg(s)

e)The excess is removed as Mg(s), after all Cu(s) and Mg(s) do not look the same

Answer 1

If this is an actual lab, looking at the procedure may help with answering the question. Then evaluate each choice and determine if it makes sense given the procedure.

(a) Are you suppose to have just copper or a mixture of copper and magnesium?

(b) Do you at add HCl to the mixture? Does it offer any explanation as to why you add the HCl? Does Mg(s) react with HCl and if so would the magnesium compound dissolve in water?

(c) If a Mg(s) is in excess then CuCl2 is the limiting reagent? Should you have any copper compounds left over to react with the Mg?

(d) Do you heat the solution at any point?

(e) Does it have you physically remove the Mg using tweasers?