Question

solid magnesium reacts with aqueous iron(iii) chloride to form aqueous magnesium chloride and solid iron. write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction. mg(s) + fecl(aq) → mgcl(aq) + fe(s)

Explanation:

Step1: Write the correct formulas

Magnesium is Mg, iron(III) chloride is FeCl₃, magnesium chloride is MgCl₂ and iron is Fe. So the un - balanced equation is Mg(s) + FeCl₃(aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + Fe(s).

Step2: Balance the chlorine atoms

To balance the chlorine atoms, find the least - common multiple of 2 and 3 (the number of chlorine atoms in MgCl₂ and FeCl₃ respectively), which is 6. Multiply FeCl₃ by 2 and MgCl₂ by 3: Mg(s)+2FeCl₃(aq) → 3MgCl₂(aq)+Fe(s).

Step3: Balance the magnesium and iron atoms

Now, balance the magnesium and iron atoms. Multiply Mg by 3 and Fe by 2 to get the balanced equation: 3Mg(s)+2FeCl₃(aq) → 3MgCl₂(aq)+2Fe(s).

Answer:

3Mg(s)+2FeCl₃(aq) → 3MgCl₂(aq)+2Fe(s)