What is created when magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid?

When magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid, the primary products are magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. The reaction occurs as follows: magnesium metal (Mg) displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid (HCl), resulting in the formation of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) dissolved in the solution and the release of hydrogen gas (H2).

Magnesium chloride is formed because the magnesium atom contributes its two electrons to bond with two chloride ions (Cl-) from the hydrochloric acid. The chemical equation representing this reaction is:

[ \text{Mg} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{MgCl}_2 + \text{H}_2 ]

This reaction illustrates a typical acid-metal reaction where an acid reacts with a metal to produce a salt and hydrogen gas. Therefore, the formation of magnesium chloride is the key outcome of this process, confirming its validity as the correct answer.

Other options, such as magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium carbonate, are not generated in this reaction as they involve different contexts or reactants altogether.