Question

# What is the coefficient of O2 when the equation $$Mg (ClO_{3}) _{2} (s) \rightarrow MhCl_{2} (s) + O_{2} (g)$$ is balanced correctly using the smallest whole number coefficients?

Solution

## Answer $$3$$Explanation :You know that magnesium chlorate, $$Mg (ClO_{3})$$  undergoes thermal decomposition to produce magnesium chloride, $$Mgcl_{2}$$ , and oxygen gas $$O_{2}$$The unbalanced chemical equation that describes this decomposition reaction looks like thisOne magnesium cation , $$1 \times Mg^{2 +}$$two chlorate anoins , $$2\times ClO^{-}_{3}$$Since each chlorate anion contains 1 atom of chlorine and 3 atoms of oxygen, you can say that the reactant's side containstwo atoms of chorins $$2 \times 1 \times Cl$$six atoms of oxygen $$2, \times 3\times O = 6 \times O$$Notice that you have 1 atom of magnesium on the reactant's side and  on the products' side, so you know that magnesium is balanced.Now, notice that you have a total of 6 atoms of oxygen on the reactant's side and only 2 atoms of oxygen on the products' side. In order to balance the atoms of oxygen, multiply the oxygen molecule by 3.You will now have$$Mg (ClO_{3}) _{2(s)} \overset{\bigtriangleup }{\rightarrow} MgCl_{2(s)} + 3O_{2(g)}$$Since 1:1:3 is the smallest ratio that can be used to balance the chemical equation using whole number coefficients, you can thus say that the oxygen molecule has a coefficient of 3 in the balanced chemical equation that describes the decomposition of magnesium chlorate.General Knowledge

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