Magnesia (MgO(s)) is used for fire brick, crucibles and furnace linings because of its high melting point. It is produced by decomposing magnesite (MgCO3(s)) into at around 1200oC
Write a balanced equation for the magensite decomposition being sure to include states for the species.
I thought it was:
MgCO3(s) ...> MgO (s) + CO2(g)
but it was marked wrong.
help..thank you.•Chemistry - DrBob222, Monday, November 9, 2015 at 12:46am
Probably I would have marked it right; it may be that you omitted the heat sign over the arrow OR the word "heat" on the left side.
It said hint:
When MgCo3 decomposes, MgO is one of the products. What is the other product? what formula could you use to calculate the change in enthalpy for a reaction if you had access to the molar enthalpies for each of the reactants and products? How could you use a similar strategy to calculate the change in enthalpy for a reaction?
thank you, Dr, BOB
The correct equation for the decomposition of magnesite (MgCO3) is:
MgCO3(s) --> MgO(s) + CO2(g)
It seems like the question is asking for the balanced equation, which means that the number of atoms of each element should be the same on both sides of the equation.
To balance this equation, you need to make sure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides. In this case, there is only one Mg atom on the left side and one on the right side, so no changes are needed there.
However, there is one C atom on the left side and one on the right side, so the numbers are already balanced.
Finally, there are three O atoms on the left side and one on the right side. To balance this, you can add a coefficient of 3 in front of MgO:
MgCO3(s) --> 3MgO(s) + CO2(g)
Now, the equation is balanced with respect to the number of atoms on each side.
Remember to include the state symbols (s for solid, g for gas) to indicate the physical state of each substance.
I hope this explanation helps!