Question

A good reaction that gives off a bright light occurs when magnesium is burned in a bunsen burner. As a result, it binds with oxygen in the air. What is the balanced chemical equation for this reaction?

Answer 1

Answer: The balanced chemical equation is written below.

Step-by-step explanation:

Every balanced chemical equation always follow law of conservation of mass.

This law states that mass can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can only be transformed from one form to another form. This also means that total number of individual atoms on reactant side must be equal to the total number of individual atoms on the product side.

When magnesium metal is burned in air, it results in the formation of white colored compound known as magnesium oxide.

The chemical equation for the reaction of magnesium and oxygen follows:

`2Mg(s)+O_2(g)\rightarrow 2MgO(s)`

By Stoichiometry of the reaction:

2 moles of magnesium metal reacts with 1 mole of oxygen gas to produce 2 moles of magnesium oxide.

Hence, the balanced chemical equation is written above.

Answer 2

Magnesium when reacts with air produces magnesium oxide or MgO. In balancing reactions, it is important to know that the number of atoms at each side should be equal.

2Mg + O2 = 2MgO

Hope this answers the question. Have a nice day.