Question

What is the balanced equation for the chemical reaction `Mg_3N_2+2H_2O -> Mg(OH)_2+NH_3`?

Answer 1

`"Mg"_ 3"N"_2(s) + 6"H"_2 "O"(l) -> 3"Mg"("OH")_2(aq) + 2"NH"_3(aq)`

Explanation:

Now, the first thing is to monitor each element as an individual and count the number of moles present in each on the left side and equate it to exactly the same number of moles to the same element on the right side.

For example, we have `"Mg"_3"N"_2` on the left side and on the right side on the original equation we see magnesium as `"Mg"("OH")_2`.

On the left side, there are 3 moles of `"Mg"`. Now making sure we have exactly 3 moles of `"Mg"` on the right side, we add a `3` in front of the compound `"Mg"("OH")_2` to make it `3"Mg"("OH")_2`. Do same for all.

Answer 2

`Mg_3N_2(s) + 6H_2O(l)rarr3Mg(OH)_2(aq) + 2NH_3(aq)`

Explanation:

And the question you ask yourself...is mass balanced, and is charge balanced...and so you count up the atoms on each side.... There are three metals atoms, 2 nitrogens, 12 hydrogens, and 6 oxygens ON BOTH SIDES of the equation....so the given reaction at least conforms to the principle of conservation of mass. It also conforms to experiment....