Question

Balance the following the chemical equation:

_ Mg + _ F2 → _ MgF2

a
1:1:1
b
1:1:2
c
2:1:1
d
1:2:1

Answer 1

To balance the chemical equation:

\(_ Mg + _ F_2 → _ MgF_2\)

We need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

1. The formula \(MgF_2\) tells us that each molecule of magnesium fluoride contains 1 magnesium (Mg) atom and 2 fluorine (F) atoms.
2. The reactant \(F_2\) consists of 2 fluorine atoms.

To balance the equation:

- One magnesium (Mg) atom is needed to match the one Mg in the product \(MgF_2\).
- To balance the two fluorine (F) atoms in \(MgF_2\), we need one molecule of \(F_2\) since it contains 2 F atoms.

So, the balanced equation is:

\[
1 \, Mg + 1 \, F_2 → 1 \, MgF_2
\]

This corresponds to the option:

**a) 1:1:1**