how do you balance the equation below?
Mg + O2 > MgO
Mg + O2 ==> 2MgO
Pls help i have a homework i don't no how to balance this mg +o2.....>mgo
To balance the equation Mg + O2 > MgO, you need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance this equation step by step:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. On the left side, we have 1 magnesium atom (Mg) and 2 oxygen atoms (O) in the O2 molecule. On the right side, we have 1 magnesium atom (Mg) and 1 oxygen atom (O) in the MgO molecule.
2. Balance the number of magnesium atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of Mg on the left side: 2Mg + O2 > MgO.
3. After adding the coefficient, we now have 2 magnesium atoms on the left side and 1 magnesium atom on the right side.
4. Next, balance the number of oxygen atoms. Since we have 2 oxygen atoms in the O2 molecule, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of O2: 2Mg + 2O2 > MgO.
5. After adding the coefficient, we now have 2 oxygen atoms on the left side and 2 oxygen atoms on the right side.
6. Finally, check that all the coefficients are in the simplest whole number ratio. In this case, they are already in the simplest form, so we can conclude that the balanced equation is:
2Mg + 2O2 > 2MgO.
By following these steps, you can balance the given equation.