Synthesis Reaction Chemistry Example 1

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Example 1

easy
Write the balanced equation for the synthesis of magnesium oxide from magnesium and oxygen.

Solution

  1. 1
    Synthesis reactions have the general form: A+Bโ†’AB\text{A} + \text{B} \rightarrow \text{AB}.
  2. 2
    Unbalanced: Mg+O2โ†’MgO\text{Mg} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{MgO}.
  3. 3
    Balance: 2Mg+O2โ†’2MgO2\text{Mg} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{MgO}. Check: Mg 2=2, O 2=2. โœ“

Answer

2Mg+O2โ†’2MgO2\text{Mg} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{MgO}
Synthesis (combination) reactions join two or more reactants to form a single, more complex product. Metal + oxygen โ†’ metal oxide is a common pattern.

About Synthesis Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two or more simpler substances (elements or compounds) combine to form a single, more complex product.

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