Hydrochloric Reaction Lab

Part A
When sodium was added to water, the sodium melted to form a ball that moved around on the surface of water rapidly and hydrogen gas was produced. Because of the amount of heat liberated during this exothermic reaction, the hydrogen gas ignited the sodium with an orange flame while floating on the water. Also, when potassium was put onto the water, the observation was similar to how sodium reacted towards water. The metal was also set on fire, with sparks and a lilac flame. But, in the case of speed of tarnishing between the two elements, potassium was faster than sodium. It dissolves completely in water quicker than sodium.
Alkali metals tend to react violently or explosively with the water; however its reaction with methanol is gentler. The reaction of sodium or potassium with methanol caused a fizzing (gas released) until the metal

In addition, when both elements were carried out, it was noticeable that each of the test tubes feels warm. This indicated the reaction is an exothermic reaction because it produced heat. The pH level for magnesium chloride solution was neutral (not basic because of oxide layer) but basic for calcium chloride.
It can be seen that calcium is more reactive than magnesium. This was because the lower the elements are down a group, the larger the size of its atomic radii. This makes it easier for the electron to be released to react with hydrogen gas either in water or in hydrochloric acid. Magnesium reacts with oxygen resulting in a bright white flame and produced magnesium oxide. After the combustion was completed, magnesium oxide was placed into the beaker containing water and the pH level of the solution was neutral. It could produce a basic solution if the oxide layer of the magnesium ribbon was cleaned completely, to ensure that it does not hinder the reaction between magnesium and