Question

What is the chemical equation for magnesium chloride + oxygen ---> magnesium chlorate?

Answer 1

Magnesium Chloride + Oxygen produces Magnesium Chlorate.

Magnesium Chloride is an ionic compound. The Magnesium has a charge of `Mg^(+2)` and Chlorine has a charge of `Cl^-1`. We need 2 chloride ions to balance one magnesium ion making the formula `MgCl_2`.

Magnesium Chlorate is an ionic compound. The Magnesium has a charge of `Mg^(+2)` and Chlorate has a charge of `ClO_3^-1`. We need 2 chlorate ions to balance one magnesium ion making the formula `Mg(ClO_3)_2`.

`MgCl_2 + O_2 -> Mg(ClO_3)_2`

Keep in mind that oxygen is diatomic and therefore must be `O_2`.

To balance the equation we place a coefficient of 3 in front of the oxygen.

`MgCl_2 + 3O_2 -> Mg(ClO_3)_2`

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER