Question

What's the balanced chemical equation of magnesium reacting with silver nitrate to produce silver and magnesium nitrate?

Answer 1

The balanced equation is Mg + 2AgNO₃ ⟶ Mg(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag

Step 1. Write the unbalanced equation

Mg + AgNO₃ ⟶ Mg(NO₃)₂ + Ag

Step 2. Start with the most complicated-looking formula [Mg(NO₃)₂] and balance its atoms.

Mg: Already balanced —1 atom each side.

N: We need 2 N on the left. Put a 2 in front of AgNO₃.

1Mg + 2AgNO₃ ⟶ 1Mg(NO₃)₂ + Ag

O: Already balanced —6 atom6 each side.

Step 3: Balance Ag

We have 2Ag on the left. We need 2Ag on the right.

1Mg + 2AgNO₃ ⟶ 1Mg(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag