Explain ionic balancing with an example?

1 Answer
Mar 13, 2018

See Below

Explanation:

In order for an equation to be balanced, both sides must have an equal number of each element. Take for example, the reaction between Magnesium Chloride (#MgCl_2#) and Water (#H_2O#).
#MgCl_2 + H_2O -> MgO + HCl#

First count the number of each element on either side.

Left:
#Mg -> 1#
#Cl -> 2#
#H -> 2#
#O -> 1#

Right:
#Mg -> 1#
#Cl -> 1#
#H -> 1#
#O -> 1#

To balance, we write the coefficient required to balance the number of elements on each side.

#MgCl_2 + H_2O -> MgO + 2HCl#

The equation is now balanced.