To balance the equation MgSO4˙6H2O = MgSO4 + H2O, we need to ensure that the number of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
First, let's focus on the sulfate (SO4) group. We have one SO4 group on the left side, and one on the right side, so they are already balanced.
Next, let's balance the magnesium (Mg) atoms. We have one Mg atom on the left side, and one on the right side, so it is balanced as well.
Now, let's balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. On the left side, we have 6 H atoms from the 6H2O molecule, while on the right side, we only have 2 H atoms from the H2O molecule. Therefore, we need to add 4 more H atoms on the right side.
The balanced equation becomes:
MgSO4˙6H2O = MgSO4 + 6H2O
The dot before the 6 in MgSO4˙6H2O represents hydrated water molecules associated with the magnesium sulfate compound. It indicates that there are six water molecules (H2O) present for each molecule of MgSO4.
So, the equation is balanced, and the dot before the 6 signifies that there are six water molecules associated with each molecule of MgSO4.