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)Mg+2 and Chlorine has a charge of Cl^-1Cl1. We need 2 chloride ions to balance one magnesium ion making the formula MgCl_2MgCl2.

Magnesium Chlorate is an ionic compound. The Magnesium has a charge of Mg^(+2)Mg+2 and Chlorate has a charge of ClO_3^-1ClO13. We need 2 chlorate ions to balance one magnesium ion making the formula Mg(ClO_3)_2Mg(ClO3)2.

MgCl_2 + O_2 -> Mg(ClO_3)_2MgCl2+O2Mg(ClO3)2

Keep in mind that oxygen is diatomic and therefore must be O_2O2.

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

MgCl_2 + 3O_2 -> Mg(ClO_3)_2MgCl2+3O2Mg(ClO3)2

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER