The balanced chemical reaction for lead (Pb) reacting with hydrochloric acid (HCl) is:
Pb + 2 HCl → PbCl2 + H2
This reaction shows that one mole of lead reacts with two moles of hydrochloric acid to produce one mole of lead(II) chloride (PbCl2) and one mole of hydrogen gas (H2).
It’s important to note that lead in this reaction is in its elemental form, while hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that dissociates in water to provide hydrogen ions (H+).
In the reaction, lead displaces hydrogen from HCl due to its higher reactivity compared to hydrogen, resulting in the formation of lead(II) chloride, which is a solid precipitate, and hydrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere.