Answer:
To convert the unbalanced chemical equation Mg + N2 → Mg3N2 into a balanced equation, we need to make sure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's break down the equation and balance it step by step:
1. Start with the unbalanced equation: Mg + N2 → Mg3N2
2. Count the number of atoms on each side of the equation:
- On the left side, we have 1 Mg atom and 2 N atoms.
- On the right side, we have 3 Mg atoms and 2 N atoms.
3. To balance the Mg atoms, we can put a coefficient of 3 in front of Mg on the left side, like this: 3Mg + N2 → Mg3N2.
4. Now, let's count the number of N atoms on each side:
- On the left side, we have 2 N atoms.
- On the right side, we still have 2 N atoms.
5. The equation is now partially balanced, but we need to balance the nitrogen atoms. To do this, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of N2 on the left side, like this: 3Mg + 2N2 → Mg3N2.
6. Now, let's count the number of Mg atoms on each side:
- On the left side, we have 3 Mg atoms.
- On the right side, we still have 3 Mg atoms.
7. Finally, let's count the number of N atoms on each side:
- On the left side, we have 4 N atoms (2 from each N2 molecule).
- On the right side, we also have 4 N atoms.
8. Now the equation is balanced! The balanced equation is: 3Mg + 2N2 → Mg3N2.
By following these steps, we balanced the equation by adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas. This ensures that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal, satisfying the law of conservation of mass.
me and my math's professor worked this out btw