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Chapter 22: Problem 30

Magnesium chloride is dissolved in a solution containing sodium bicarbonate. On heating, a white precipitate is formed. Explain what causes the precipitation.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The white precipitate is caused by the thermal decomposition of magnesium bicarbonate into magnesium carbonate, which is a white solid that does not dissolve in water.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the reactants

The reactants in this exercise are magnesium chloride (\( MgCl_2 \)) and sodium bicarbonate (\( NaHCO_3 \)).
02

Writing the chemical reaction

When magnesium chloride and sodium bicarbonate react, it will form magnesium bicarbonate and sodium chloride. The chemical reaction can be written as follows: \( MgCl_2 + 2NaHCO_3 → Mg(HCO_3)_2 + 2NaCl \)
03

Understanding the precipitate

Upon heating, magnesium bicarbonate compound thermally decomposes to form magnesium carbonate (\( MgCO_3 \)), carbon dioxide (\( CO_2 \)), and water (\( H_2O \)). The reaction can be written as follows: \( Mg(HCO_3)_2 → MgCO_3 + CO_2 + H_2O \). Magnesium carbonate is a white solid that does not dissolve in water, therefore forming the observed white precipitate.

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