Question

Balance the following chemical equations:

a) ( Mg(OH)₂ + HCl -------> MgCl + H₂O )
b) ( Al(OH)₃ + HCl -------> AlCl₃ + H₂O )

Answer 1

To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical equation can be balanced using Stoichiometry.

The given equation is: Mg(OH)₂ + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂O.

To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.

1. Mg: There is one Mg atom on both sides of the equation, so it is balanced.
2. H: There are 2 H atoms on the reactant side and 2 H atoms on the product side, so it is balanced.
3. Cl: There is 1 Cl atom on the reactant side and 2 Cl atoms on the product side, so we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl to balance the Cl atoms.
4. O: There is 2 O atoms on the product side coming from H₂O, so we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O to balance the O atoms.

The balanced equation is: 2Mg(OH)₂ + 4HCl → 2MgCl₂ + 4H₂O.

Note that in addition to water, this reaction produces a salt, magnesium chloride.