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Chapter 4: Problem 86

Consider the reaction between oxygen \(\left(\mathrm{O}_{2}\right)\) gas and magnesium metal to form magnesium oxide. Using oxidation states, how many electrons would each oxygen atom gain, and how many electrons would each magnesium atom lose? How many magnesium atoms are needed to react with one oxygen molecule? Write a balanced equation for this reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Each oxygen atom gains 2 electrons, and each magnesium atom loses 2 electrons. Two magnesium atoms are needed to react with one oxygen molecule. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is: \[2 \textrm{Mg} (s) + \textrm{O}_{2} (g) \rightarrow 2 \textrm{MgO} (s)\]

Step by step solution

01

Identify the oxidation states of the elements involved

Oxygen gas is diatomic, meaning it's a molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms with the formula O₂. In its elemental form, oxygen has an oxidation state of 0. Magnesium in its elemental form, as a metal, also has an oxidation state of 0. In magnesium oxide (MgO), the oxidation state of magnesium is +2, while oxygen has an oxidation state of -2.
02

Determine the number of electrons gained and lost during the reaction

Since the oxidation state of oxygen changes from 0 to -2, each oxygen atom gains 2 electrons during the reaction. The oxidation state of magnesium changes from 0 to +2, meaning each magnesium atom loses 2 electrons during the reaction.
03

Find out how many magnesium atoms are needed to react with one oxygen molecule

One oxygen molecule (O₂) contains two oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom gains 2 electrons, so the oxygen molecule gains a total of 4 electrons. Since each magnesium atom loses 2 electrons, we would need 2 magnesium atoms to provide the 4 electrons needed for the oxygen molecule to gain. Therefore, two magnesium atoms are needed to react with one oxygen molecule.
04

Write a balanced equation for the reaction

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen is: \[2 \textrm{Mg} (s) + \textrm{O}_{2} (g) \rightarrow 2 \textrm{MgO} (s)\] This equation shows that two moles of magnesium (2 Mg) react with one mole of oxygen gas (O₂) to produce two moles of magnesium oxide (2 MgO). The equation is balanced, as there are equal numbers of magnesium and oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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