Question map
Two reactants in a flask produce bubbles of gas; it turns lime water into milky. The reactants in the flask are
Explanation
The observation of gas bubbles that turn lime water milky is the standard chemical test for carbon dioxide (CO2) [1]. When carbon dioxide reacts with lime water (calcium hydroxide), it forms a white precipitate of calcium carbonate, which gives the solution a milky appearance [3]. According to the general chemical principle, metal carbonates react with acids to produce a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas [4]. In the given options, magnesium carbonate reacting with hydrochloric acid follows this pattern: MgCO3 + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2O + CO2. In contrast, the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid produces hydrogen gas, which does not turn lime water milky. Magnesium nitrate and magnesium sulphate do not react with hydrochloric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, making option 2 the only scientifically accurate choice.
Sources
- [1] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical > Activity 5.4: Let us experiment > p. 61
- [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > Activity 2.5 > p. 21
- [4] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > Activity 2.5 > p. 20