Write the equation for the combination of magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide, MgO.
Mg(s) + O2(g) ==> MgO(s); then balance
2Mg(s) + O2(g) ==> 2MgO(s)
The balanced chemical equation for the combination of magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide is:
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
To write the equation for the combination of magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide (MgO), we need to consider the valence or oxidation states of magnesium and oxygen.
Magnesium has a valence of +2, meaning it tends to lose two electrons, while oxygen has a valence of -2, meaning it tends to gain two electrons.
The equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen can be written as follows:
2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO
In this equation, we balance the number of magnesium and oxygen atoms on each side. Since magnesium has a valence of +2, we need two magnesium atoms to balance the charge of one oxygen atom with a valence of -2. Meanwhile, O2 represents a molecule of oxygen gas, which is diatomic.
Therefore, by combining two magnesium atoms with one molecule of oxygen gas, we obtain two molecules of magnesium oxide, as indicated by the coefficient 2 in front of MgO.