00:02
Hi there.
00:03
In this question, we are given a word equation to describe a reaction, and we want to write a balanced chemical equation for that.
00:11
So the first thing we need to do is write the correct formulas for the reactants on the left of an arrow, and the product or products on the right.
00:19
So let's get started with that.
00:20
We have solid magnesium metal.
00:23
So that is just mg, because it's the metal, and its state is solid.
00:29
That is reacting with chlorine gas.
00:32
Chlorine is.
00:33
One of the elements on the periodic table that when it is in its elemental state, in other words, it's just an element, not combined with anything, it exists as a diatomic, meaning two chlorine atoms bonded together.
00:46
So we always have to write it as cl2 when it's by itself.
00:50
And this is a gas.
00:52
These are reacting to form solid magnesium chloride.
00:57
So on the product side, we need to write magnesium, fifth chlorine, but we need to look at the charges to make sure it's written correctly because the charges have to add up to zero.
01:12
So the charge on magnesium, since it's in group 2a of the periodic table, it forms ions with a 2 positive charge, just like all of the other elements in group 2a.
01:22
Chlorine is a halogen in group 7a...