Use caution to prevent cuts. Cut a 1-meter length of magnesium ribbon. Use steel wool to polish the ribbon. Polishing removes impurities from the metal ribbon surface. Provide students with data for the length and mass of the polished ribbon.
Results depend upon the concentration of hydrochloric acid.
With concentrated and strong hydrochloric acid solutions, the results are too high. The resulting solutions should be neutralized and discarded at the sink. The styrofoam cups may be rinsed and placed with ordinary solid waste. Unused magnesium ribbon should be stored for future use. Small amounts of ribbon may be dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid, neutralized, and discarded at the sink.