Answer:
2Mg + O₂ ⟶ 2MgO
Explanation:
Step 1. Start with the most complicated-looking formula (O₂?).
Put a 1 in front of it.
Mg + 1O₂ ⟶ MgO
Step 2. Balance O.
We have fixed 2 O on the left. We need 2O on the right. Put a 2 in front of MgO.
Mg + 1O₂ ⟶ 2MgO
Step 3. Balance Mg.
We have fixed 2 Mg on the right-hand side. We need 2 Mg atoms on the left. Put a 2 in front of Mg.
2Mg + 1O₂ ⟶ 2MgO
Every formula now has a coefficient. The equation should be balanced. Let’s check.
Atom On the left On the right
Mg 2 2
O 2 2
All atoms are balanced.
The balanced equation is
2Mg + O₂ ⟶ 2MgO
