write a balanced chemical equation for the dissociation of solid magnesium hydroxide in water?
Mg(OH)2(s) + H2O(l) ==>Mg^2+(aq) + 2OH^-(aq)
To write a balanced chemical equation for the dissociation of solid magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) in water, we need to consider that upon dissolving in water, magnesium hydroxide dissociates into its respective ions.
The chemical formula for the solid magnesium hydroxide is Mg(OH)2. When it dissolves in water, it dissociates into one magnesium ion (Mg2+) and two hydroxide ions (OH-). The balanced chemical equation for the dissociation of magnesium hydroxide in water can be written as follows:
Mg(OH)2 (s) â Mg2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq)
In this equation, "(s)" represents the solid state, "(aq)" indicates the aqueous state (dissolved in water), and the numbers in front of the chemical formulas denote the stoichiometric coefficients, which ensure the equation is balanced.
To balance this equation, we already have two hydroxide ions on the product side, so we need to balance the magnesium ion. Since there is only one magnesium ion on the product side, we leave the coefficient as 1. Hence, the equation is already balanced.
Remember, balancing chemical equations involves adjusting coefficients to make the number of atoms of each element equal on both sides of the equation, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is obeyed.