15 Facts on HBr + MgCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

HBr and MgCO3 are inorganic compounds with chemical names hydrogen bromide and magnesium carbonate. Let us understand more about their reaction in this article.

HBr is a colorless yellow liquid with a sharp, irritating odor. MgCO3 occurs in nature as the mineral magnesite and is an important source of elemental magnesium. It can be produced artificially by the action of carbon dioxide.

Let us discuss important properties and characteristics of HBr + MgCO3 reaction like the type of reaction, product formed, intermolecular forces, titration, and many other related topics in this article.

What is the product of HBr and MgCO3 ?

Magnesium bromide(MgBr2), carbon dioxide(CO2) and water(H2O) are formed when HBr reacts with MgCO3.

  • MgCO3 + 2HBr –> MgBr2 + CO2 + H2O

What type of reaction is HBr + MgCO3 ?

The reaction between HBr and MgCO3 is considered as a neutralization reaction. Here, the weak base MgCO3 neutralizes the strong acid HBr, giving salt and water.

How to balance HBr + MgCO3 ?

The reaction of HBr + MgCO3 can be balanced by following the steps given below.

  • Write the equation such that reactants are on the left side and the products are on the right side.
    MgCO3 + HBr –> MgBr2 + CO2 + H2O
  • To balance the equation, the total number of moles on the left side must be equal to the number of moles on the right side .
  • Tabulate the number of moles of each element on both sides.
Elements Reactants(LHS)Products(RHS)
Mg11
C11
O33
H22
Br22
No.of moles after balancing the reaction .
  • All the elements are thus balanced on both sides, hence the balanced equation is,
    MgCO3 + 2HBr –> MgBr2 + CO2 + H2O

HBr + MgCO3 titration ?

HBr and MgCO3 can be titrated in the following way to estimate the strength of the HBr solution.

Apparatus

  • Burette
  • Burette holder
  • Conical flask
  • Spatula
  • Glass rod
  • Wash bottle
  • Measuring cylinder

Indicator

  • Methyl Orange is the indicator used for this titration. It is a good indicator for titrations involving strong acid and weak base.

Procedure

  • Prepare 0.1N MgCO3 solution in a conical flask by weighing out 0.147 g of MgCO3, and mixing it with 10 mL water.
  • Add 2-3 drops of methyl orange into the MgCO3 solution.
  • Load the HBr solution into the burette. Open the knob such that the solution falls drop-wise.
  • Stir the conical flask continuously, and when the color of the solution becomes red, close the burette knob immediately.
  • Note down the volume readings and continue the process until three consistent readings are obtained.
  • The strength of the HBr solution can be obtained by using the formula,
    NHBr x VHBr = NMgCO3 x VMgCO3; Where N is the normality, which is also the strength in this case, and V is the volume.

HBr + MgCO3 net ionic equation ?

The net ionic equation of HBr + MgCO3 is as follows:
MgCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Br(aq) –> Mg2+(aq) + 2Br(aq) + H2O(l)+ CO2

The ionic equation can be written for this reaction by the following method:

  • Write down the balanced equation of HBr + MgCO3 reaction.
  • MgCO3 + 2HBr –> MgBr2 + CO2 + H2O
  • Now write the ionic form of each compound in an aqueous solution.
  • MgCO3 is almost insoluble and remains a solid, while HBr readily dissociates into H+ and Br–.
  • On the product side, MgBr2 dissociates into Mg2+ ions and Br ions, while H2O stays liquid and CO2 remains as gas. The resulting equation is the net ionic equation.

HBr + MgCO3 conjugate pairs ?

HBr + MgCO3 has the following conjugate pairs:

  • HBr and MgBr2 is one conjugate acid-base pair, where HBr is the Bronsted acid, and MgBr2 is its conjugate base.
  • MgCO3 and H2O is the other conjugate acid-base pair, where MgCO3 is the Bronsted base, and H2O is its conjugate acid.

HBr and MgCO3 intermolecular forces ?

HBr + MgCO3 has the following intermolecular forces:

  • The intermolecular forces holding HBr are dipole-dipole forces.
  • In MgCO3, the intermolecular forces are electrostatic forces of attraction.

HBr + MgCO3 reaction enthalpy?

  • The standard reaction enthalpy for HBr + MgCO3 reaction is -101.7 kJ/mol.
  • ΔrH˚ = -101.7 kJ/mol

Is HBr + MgCO3 a buffer solution ?

HBr + MgCO3 is a buffer solution. A weak base and strong acid will form a buffer solution.

Is HBr + MgCO3 a complete reaction ?

HBr + MgCO3 reaction is a complete reaction as all reactants get converted into products.

Is HBr + MgCO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction ?

The HBr + MgCO3 reaction is a exothermic reaction, as the reaction enthalpy is negative.

Is HBr + MgCO3 a redox reaction ?

HBr + MgCO3 reaction is not a redox reaction as neither oxidation nor reduction of atoms occur.

Is HBr + MgCO3 a precipitation reaction ?

HBr + MgCO3 reaction is not a precipitation reaction as no precipitation of products occur. H2O is a liquid, CO2 is a gas, and MgBr2 is a solid that is soluble.

Is HBr + MgCO3 reversible or irreversible reaction ?

HBr + MgCO3 reaction is an irreversible reaction under normal conditions as CO2 gas evolves.

Is HBr + MgCO3 displacement reaction ?

HBr + MgCO3 reaction is a double displacement reaction. Here MgBr2 and H+ displace each other during this reaction to form the products MgBr2, CO2, and H2O.

Conclusion

Hydrobromic acid is a strong acid formed by dissolving the diatomic molecule hydrogen bromide (HBr) in water and shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Often used in an aqueous solution. MgCO3 is odourless white powder.