Final answer:
To balance the chemical equation Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + NH₃, you need to ensure that each element has the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation. Follow the step-by-step explanation provided to balance the equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To balance the chemical equation Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + NH₃, we need to ensure that each element has the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
Step 1: Start with the elements that appear only once on each side of the equation. In this case, we start with the nitrogen (N).
Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + NH₃
Step 2: Balance the nitrogen (N) by adding a coefficient of 2 in front of NH₃.
Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + 2NH₃
Step 3: Next, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. Currently, there are 2 hydrogen atoms on the left side, and 6 hydrogen atoms on the right side of the equation. Add a coefficient of 3 in front of H₂O to balance the hydrogen.
Mg₃N₂ + 3H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + 2NH₃
Step 4: Finally, balance the oxygen (O) atoms. Currently, there are 3 oxygen atoms on the left side, and 4 oxygen atoms on the right side of the equation. Add a coefficient of 3 in front of Mg(OH)₂ to balance the oxygen.
Mg₃N₂ + 3H₂O → 3Mg(OH)₂ + 2NH₃