How would you balance the following equation:

• Mg + O₂ → MgO

To balance the equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen, follow these steps:

Identify the Reactants and Products

The reactants are magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O₂), while the product is magnesium oxide (MgO).

Count the Atoms

• On the left side: 1 magnesium atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
• On the right side: 1 magnesium atom and 1 oxygen atom.

Balancing the Equation

To balance the oxygen atoms, you need 2 oxygen atoms in the product. Since each MgO contains only 1 oxygen atom, you will need 2 MgO molecules:

Now, the equation looks like this:

Mg + O₂ → 2 MgO

Adjusting Magnesium

Since there are now 2 magnesium atoms in the products, you must add 2 magnesium atoms to the reactants:

The balanced equation is:

2 Mg + O₂ → 2 MgO

Final Check

Now, both sides have 2 magnesium atoms and 2 oxygen atoms, confirming that the equation is balanced.