Question

The combustion of magnesium in the air produces the oxide of magnesium. The name of the compound is magnesium oxide (MgO).

Write the balanced chemical equation for the combustion reaction.

Answer 1

Combustion means a substance reacts with oxygen gas (O2). In this problem, magnesium (Mg) is going through combustion. This means we have Mg + O2 —-> MgO. (MgO is the product according to the question). However, this needs to be balanced. The balanced equation and I also answer is 2Mg + O2 —-> 2MgO.