Question

Examine each of the following pairs of potential reactants. Decide whether or not a reaction would occur. If a reaction occurs, write the balanced equation. If no reaction occurs, write NR.

Magnesium bromide and chlorine?

Answer 1

In a reaction between magnesium bromide and chlorine, chlorine replaces bromine to form magnesium chloride, according to the activity series of metals. The balanced chemical equation is MgBr2 + Cl2 → MgCl2 + Br2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about a potential chemical reaction between magnesium bromide and chlorine. Such a reaction can be analyzed using the activity series, which helps predict if a single-replacement reaction will occur. According to the activity series of metals, magnesium is above bromine, indicating that magnesium can be displaced by a more reactive halogen such as chlorine.

In this case, a reaction will occur where chlorine (Cl2) will replace the bromine (Br) in magnesium bromide (MgBr2) to form magnesium chloride (MgCl2). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

MgBr2 + Cl2 → MgCl2 + Br2

The magnesium ion (Mg2+) reacts with chlorine atoms to create a new ionic compound, with the bromide ions being released as molecular bromine (Br2).