Try MgBr2 and I expect you can balance it.

i got a balancing equation problem
i gotta get this to balance

Mg(OH)2+ HBr --> MgBr + H20

so far i'v gotten it down to
2Mg(OH)2+ 4HBr --> 2MgBr + 4H20
but it's still not balanced,so can someone please balance this

u can only add the number in front of the MgBr(and same with the others),so i can't add the 2 at the end of it

That's good advice and one which I have stressed to my students; i.e., one may NOT balance equations by changing the subscripts. :-:). However, this advice doesn't hold when you change the subscript because it is incorrect. That is, the formula for magnesium bromide IS MgBr2 and not MgBr. So in this case make it MgBr2 and see if it isn't easier to balance. Mg is in group 2 (or IIA) and Br is in group 17(or VIIA). Mg has two electrons to give away and Br needs just one; therefore, we need two Br atoms per one Mg atom and the formula is MgBr2. =).

hmmm this must be a mistake on my sheet then as i also agree with that it should be a MgBr2
so far it is:
2Mg(OH)2 + 4HBr --> 2MgBr2 + 4H20
hopefully that is correct and both sides are balanced

That looks balanced to me, too. I'm sure its just a typo on the sheet.

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