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How to Burn Metal with Acid

While it is impossible to burn metal in the sense of classical combustion, mixing metals and acids can yield some truly spectacular results. By mixing magnesium metal with hydrochloric acid, you can decompose the metal in a reaction that produces flammable hydrogen gas. Therefore, in a roundabout way, you can produce fire and often an explosion from two very inflammable materials. The process' chemical formula is Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) ' MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g).

Things You'll Need

1.0 M hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Graduated cylinder
250mL Erlenmeyer flask
Magnesium ribbon
Balloon, not inflated
Rubber band
Safety glasses
Match

Instructions

- 1
  Place 150mL of 1.0 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a graduated cylinder. Pour the acid from the graduated cylinder into a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask.
- 2
  Drop one magnesium ribbon into the Erlenmeyer flask, and top the opening of the flask with one balloon that is not inflated. Wrap one rubber band around the joint of the balloon and flask to create a tight seal. As the magnesium reacts, you will see bubbles of hydrogen gas.
- 3
  Wait about two minutes, or until the magnesium stops fizzing. The balloon should fill at least partially with hydrogen gas.
- 4
  Put on safety glasses. Standing away from the flask, use one match to ignite the balloon. The result will be a brief flash as the hydrogen burns with atmospheric oxygen to form water, H2O.

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