Magnesium does not decompose in the
A. Steam
B. Hot water
C. Cold Water
D. Semi-hot water
Answer
298.5k+ views
Hint: Magnesium is highly reactive. It reacts with water and acids quickly. Normally magnesium in reaction with water gives magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Magnesium reacts with hot water and forms metal hydroxide but not with cold water.
Complete Step by Step Answer:
Magnesium belongs to group 2 and period 3. It is an alkaline earth metal.
It is very reactive.
We have to find out whether or not it decomposes the given options.
A. Steam
Magnesium in contact with steam yields magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right) \to {\rm{MgO}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, A is incorrect.
B. Hot water
Magnesium reacts with hot water readily to form magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, B is incorrect.
C. Cold Water
Magnesium doesn't react with cold water. After a considerable amount of time, some bubbles of hydrogen are present on the surface of the metal.
This reaction ceases as the magnesium hydroxide yielded is practically insoluble in water and yields an obstacle for further reaction.
This is because it begins to float as the bubbles of hydrogen gas stick to its surface.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, C is correct.
D. Semi-hot water
Magnesium reacts with hot water readily to form magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, D is incorrect.
So, option D is correct.
Note: Metals on reaction with water form metal oxide and hydrogen gas. Metal oxides that are soluble in water undergo dissolution to form metal hydroxide. But all metals do not exhibit this property. Alkaline earth metals other than Mg in reaction with water to give hydrogen and a metal hydroxide. This reaction is slow. Beryllium is an exception.
Complete Step by Step Answer:
Magnesium belongs to group 2 and period 3. It is an alkaline earth metal.
It is very reactive.
We have to find out whether or not it decomposes the given options.
A. Steam
Magnesium in contact with steam yields magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right) \to {\rm{MgO}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, A is incorrect.
B. Hot water
Magnesium reacts with hot water readily to form magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, B is incorrect.
C. Cold Water
Magnesium doesn't react with cold water. After a considerable amount of time, some bubbles of hydrogen are present on the surface of the metal.
This reaction ceases as the magnesium hydroxide yielded is practically insoluble in water and yields an obstacle for further reaction.
This is because it begins to float as the bubbles of hydrogen gas stick to its surface.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, C is correct.
D. Semi-hot water
Magnesium reacts with hot water readily to form magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction happens as follows:
\[{\rm{Mg}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {\rm{g}} \right)\]
So, D is incorrect.
So, option D is correct.
Note: Metals on reaction with water form metal oxide and hydrogen gas. Metal oxides that are soluble in water undergo dissolution to form metal hydroxide. But all metals do not exhibit this property. Alkaline earth metals other than Mg in reaction with water to give hydrogen and a metal hydroxide. This reaction is slow. Beryllium is an exception.
Recently Updated Pages
Normality of 03 M phosphorus acid H3PO3 is A 05 B 06 class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

A molecule with highest bond energy A Fluorine B Chlorine class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

A 30 solution of H2O2 is marketed as 100 volume hydrogen class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

Covalent compounds generally have low melting and boiling class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

The degeneracy of hydrogen atom that has equal energy class 11 chemistry JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Chemistry In Hindi Chapter 1 Some Basic Concepts Of Chemistry - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

JEE Advanced 2026 Notification Out with Exam Date, Registration (Extended), Syllabus and More

Understanding the Different Types of Solutions in Chemistry

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

JEE Advanced Weightage Chapter Wise 2026 for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

