write a balanced chemical reaction for the reaction of aqueous magnesium chloride with aqueous potassium phosphate to form solid magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) and aqueous potassium chloride (KCl). Indicate the physical states of the reactants and products
To write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aqueous magnesium chloride (MgCl2) with aqueous potassium phosphate (K3PO4), we must first determine the chemical formulas of the reactants and products.
The reactants are:
Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) - Aqueous
Potassium phosphate (K3PO4) - Aqueous
The products are:
Magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) - Solid
Potassium chloride (KCl) - Aqueous
Now, let's balance the equation step-by-step:
Step 1: Write the formula for each reactant and product.
MgCl2 (aq) + K3PO4 (aq) → Mg3(PO4)2 (s) + KCl (aq)
Step 2: Split the formula of each compound into its individual ions.
Mg2+ (aq) + 2Cl- (aq) + 3K+ (aq) + PO43- (aq) → Mg3(PO4)2 (s) + 2K+ (aq) + 2Cl- (aq)
Step 3: Identify and cancel out any spectator ions. Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction. In this case, K+ and Cl- are spectator ions. We can cancel them out:
Mg2+ (aq) + PO43- (aq) → Mg3(PO4)2 (s)
Step 4: Check if the equation is balanced. Count the number and type of atoms on both sides of the equation.
On the left side: 1 Mg and 1 P
On the right side: 3 Mg and 2 P
To balance the equation, we need to multiply the reactant side by 3 and the product side by 2:
3Mg2+ (aq) + 2PO43- (aq) → Mg3(PO4)2 (s)
Now the equation is balanced, and we have indicated the physical states of the reactants and products:
3MgCl2 (aq) + 2K3PO4 (aq) → Mg3(PO4)2 (s) + 6KCl (aq)