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Chapter 20: Problem 30

Elemental boron is produced by reduction of boron oxide with magnesium to give boron and magnesium oxide. Write a balanced equation for this reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The balanced equation for the reaction between boron oxide (B2O3) and magnesium (Mg) to produce elemental boron (B) and magnesium oxide (MgO) is: \(B2O3 + 3Mg -> 2B + 3MgO\)

Step by step solution

01

Write the unbalanced equation

Write down the reactants and products as a chemical equation, using the standard notation for compounds and elements. B2O3 + Mg -> B + MgO
02

Determine the number of atoms for each element in the equation

Count the number of atoms for each element: Reactants side: - Boron (B): 2 atoms - Oxygen (O): 3 atoms - Magnesium (Mg): 1 atom Products side: - Boron (B): 1 atom - Oxygen (O): 1 atom - Magnesium (Mg): 1 atom
03

Select an element to balance first

We can start by balancing the boron atoms. On the reactants side, we have 2 B atoms, and on the products side, we have 1 B atom.
04

Balance the boron atoms

Since we have 2 boron atoms on the reactants side and only 1 on the products side, we will need to place a 2 in front of the elemental boron (B) on the products side. This will create 2 boron atoms on both sides of the equation: B2O3 + Mg -> 2B + MgO
05

Balance the magnesium and oxygen atoms

Now, let's balance the magnesium atoms. After placing a 2 in front of the elemental boron, the number of magnesium and oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation are: Reactants side: - Magnesium (Mg): 1 atom - Oxygen (O): 3 atoms Products side: - Magnesium (Mg): 1 atom - Oxygen (O): 1 atom To balance the oxygen atoms, we can place a 3 in front of the magnesium oxide (MgO) on the products side. This will give us 3 magnesium and 3 oxygen atoms. We also need to place a 3 in front of the magnesium (Mg) on the reactants side to balance the magnesium atoms: B2O3 + 3Mg -> 2B + 3MgO
06

Check if the equation is balanced

Now, let's check if the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation: Reactants side: - Boron (B): 2 atoms - Oxygen (O): 3 atoms - Magnesium (Mg): 3 atoms Products side: - Boron (B): 2 atoms - Oxygen (O): 3 atoms - Magnesium (Mg): 3 atoms Since the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, the equation is balanced: B2O3 + 3Mg -> 2B + 3MgO

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What will be the atomic number of the next alkali metal to be discovered? How would you expect the physical properties of the next alkali metal to compare with the properties of the other alkali metals summarized in Table \(20.4 ?\)

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