Balance the equation Mg + O2 = MgO......Please explain with steps
The balanced equation is 2Mg + O2 2MgO
Balancing means that the number of atoms of all elements are same on the reactant (LHS, left hand side of equation) and product side or RHS.
One can change the coefficient before a compound or element but not the subscript.
Mg + O2 = MgO..
In the unbalanced equation,
Mg: 1 atom on LHS and RHS
O : 2 atoms in LHS and 1 atom on RHS
To increase the number on RHS we increase the coefficient on RHS to 2
Mg + O2 = 2MgO..
Now, we have 1 atom of Mg on LHS and 2 on RHS and so we Increase it to 2 on LHS to balance the equation.
2Mg + O2 = 2MgO
Balancing means that the number of atoms of all elements are same on the reactant (LHS, left hand side of equation) and product side or RHS.
One can change the coefficient before a compound or element but not the subscript.
Mg + O2 = MgO..
In the unbalanced equation,
Mg: 1 atom on LHS and RHS
O : 2 atoms in LHS and 1 atom on RHS
To increase the number on RHS we increase the coefficient on RHS to 2
Mg + O2 = 2MgO..
Now, we have 1 atom of Mg on LHS and 2 on RHS and so we Increase it to 2 on LHS to balance the equation.
2Mg + O2 = 2MgO