Question

Magnesia (MgO(s)) is used for fire brick, crucibles and furnace linings because of its high melting point. It is produced by decomposing magnesite (MgCO3(s)) into at around 1200oC


Write a balanced equation for the magensite decomposition being sure to include states for the species.


I thought it was:
MgCO3(s) ...> MgO (s) + CO2(g)


but it was marked wrong.


help..thank you.•Chemistry - DrBob222, Monday, November 9, 2015 at 12:46am
Probably I would have marked it right; it may be that you omitted the heat sign over the arrow OR the word "heat" on the left side.

It said hint:
When MgCo3 decomposes, MgO is one of the products. What is the other product? what formula could you use to calculate the change in enthalpy for a reaction if you had access to the molar enthalpies for each of the reactants and products? How could you use a similar strategy to calculate the change in enthalpy for a reaction?


thank you, Dr, BOB