Which statement describes a chemical property of the element magnesium?

• A. Magnesium is malleable and can be rolled into thin sheets.
• B. Magnesium has a melting point of 650 \ ^\circ \mathrm{C}.
• C. Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas.
• D. Magnesium is a silvery-white metal at room temperature.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties: Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, while chemical properties describe how a substance interacts with other substances, resulting in a change in composition.
2. Analyze each statement to determine if it describes a physical or chemical property:
3. - 'Magnesium is malleable and can be rolled into thin sheets' describes a physical property because it relates to the metal's ability to be shaped without changing its chemical identity.
4. - 'Magnesium has a melting point of 650 \ ^\circ \mathrm{C}' is a physical property since melting point is a physical characteristic.
5. - 'Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas' describes a chemical property because it involves a chemical reaction where magnesium changes into new substances.
6. - 'Magnesium is a silvery-white metal at room temperature' is a physical property describing appearance.
7. Therefore, the statement about magnesium reacting with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas correctly describes a chemical property.