How would you balance this equation
Mg(s)+FeCl3(aq)=Fe(s)+MgCl2(aq)
To balance a chemical equation, you need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance the given equation (Mg(s) + FeCl3(aq) = Fe(s) + MgCl2(aq)):
Step 1: Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
Left side (reactants):
Mg: 1 atom
Fe: 1 atom
Cl: 3 atoms
Right side (products):
Fe: 1 atom
Mg: 1 atom
Cl: 2 atoms
Step 2: Begin by balancing the most complex or most abundant molecule first, which in this case is FeCl3.
To balance the number of Fe atoms:
Left side: 1
Right side: 1
To balance the number of Cl atoms:
Left side: 3
Right side: 2
To balance the number of Cl atoms, multiply the Cl atoms on the right side by 3/2 (because 3/2 * 2 atoms = 3 atoms):
FeCl3(aq) + 3/2 Mg(s) = Fe(s) + MgCl2(aq)
Step 3: The equation is now nearly balanced, but there's a fraction (3/2) in front of Mg(s). We don't want fractions in a balanced equation, so we can multiply the whole equation by 2 to clear the fraction.
Multiply the equation by 2:
2 FeCl3(aq) + 3 Mg(s) = 2 Fe(s) + 3 MgCl2(aq)
Step 4: Check that the number of atoms of each element is now equal on both sides.
Left side (reactants):
Fe: 2 atoms
Cl: 6 atoms
Mg: 3 atoms
Right side (products):
Fe: 2 atoms
Cl: 6 atoms
Mg: 3 atoms
The equation is now balanced:
2 FeCl3(aq) + 3 Mg(s) = 2 Fe(s) + 3 MgCl2(aq)
This balanced equation shows that when magnesium (Mg) reacts with iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), it produces iron (Fe) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2).