152k views
4 votes
Write a balanced chemical equation for the following: magnesium metal is burned in oxygen to produce magnesium oxide.

1 Answer

5 votes

A balanced chemical equation for burning Magnesium

2Mg(s)+O₂(g)⇒2MgO(s)

Further explanation

Equalization of chemical reactions can be done using variables. Steps in equalizing the reaction equation:

1. gives a coefficient on substances involved in the equation of reaction such as a, b, or c, etc.

2. make an equation based on the similarity of the number of atoms where the number of atoms = coefficient × index (subscript) between reactant and product

3. Select the coefficient of the substance with the most complex chemical formula equal to 1

Reaction(syntesis / combination)

Mg(s)+O₂(g)⇒MgO(s)

give coefficient

aMg(s)+bO₂(g)⇒MgO(s)

Mg, left=a, right 1⇒a=1

O,left=2b,right 1⇒2b=1,b=0.5

Mg(s)+0.5O₂(g)⇒MgO(s) x 2

2Mg(s)+O₂(g)⇒2MgO(s)

User Samir Mangroliya
by
5.3k points