Question

write a balanced chemical equation based on the following description: aqueous nitric acid reacts with solid magnesium carbonate to produce aqueous magnesium nitrate, liquid water and carbon dioxide gas. hno₃(aq) + mgco₃(s)→

Explanation:

Step1: Write the un - balanced products

The products are aqueous magnesium nitrate ($Mg(NO_3)_2$), liquid water ($H_2O$) and carbon dioxide gas ($CO_2$). So the un - balanced equation is $HNO_3(aq)+MgCO_3(s)
ightarrow Mg(NO_3)_2(aq)+H_2O(l)+CO_2(g)$.

Step2: Balance the nitrate ions

There are 2 nitrate ions in $Mg(NO_3)_2$. So we need 2 moles of $HNO_3$ on the left - hand side to balance the nitrate ions. The equation becomes $2HNO_3(aq)+MgCO_3(s)
ightarrow Mg(NO_3)_2(aq)+H_2O(l)+CO_2(g)$.

Step3: Check other elements

After adding 2 moles of $HNO_3$, the number of magnesium, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms are balanced on both sides.

Answer:

$2HNO_3(aq)+MgCO_3(s)
ightarrow Mg(NO_3)_2(aq)+H_2O(l)+CO_2(g)$