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

1 Answer
May 13, 2014

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