Question

A chemist attempted to make methyl magnesium bromide by adding strips of magnesium metal to a solution of methyl bromide in
diethyl ether. Despite gentle heating, no reaction was observed (i.e., the magnesium metal was not disappearing) so the chemist
added more magnesium strips that were freshly cut into small pieces. This time the reaction proceeded quickly and all the
magnesium was consumed. Explain.

Answer 1

When whole of th magnesium strip was used, it didn't dissove in the solution, however cutting the magnesium strips into small pieces resulted in the whole consumption of metal because on cutting the strip, the surface area of the metal is increased which lead to the occurence of reaction. Any metal with increased surface area will result in the increase in the rate of the reaction.