Final answer:
The given chemical equation 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO is balanced. 6 moles of Mg would be needed to react with 3 moles of O₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
The given chemical equation 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO is balanced. The equation shows that 2 moles of magnesium (Mg) react with 1 mole of oxygen (O₂) to produce 2 moles of magnesium oxide (MgO).
Since the ratio of Mg to O₂ in the balanced equation is 2:1, we can determine the moles of Mg required to react with 3 moles of O₂ by setting up a proportion:
(2 moles of Mg) / (1 mole of O₂) = (x moles of Mg) / (3 moles of O₂)
Cross multiplying, we get:
2 * 3 = 1 * x
6 = x
Therefore, 6 moles of Mg would be needed to react with 3 moles of O₂.