Balance Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + NH₃
Mg₃N₂(s) + 6 H₂O(l) → 3 Mg(OH)₂(s) + 2 NH₃(g)
Balance an equation
Mg₃N₂(s)+6H₂O(l)→3Mg(OH)₂(s)+2NH₃(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 3:1 | 3:3 |
| N | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| H | 2:5 | 12:12 |
| O | 1:2 | 6:6 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, Mg₃N₂: put 1 in front of it.
- Mg: 3 on the left. Put 3 in front of Mg(OH)₂.
- N: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of NH₃.
- H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12).
- Check: Mg 3 = 3, N 2 = 2, H 12 = 12, O 6 = 6. Balanced.
What happens
It is a double displacement reaction: two compounds swap their ions. Magnesium nitride reacts with water to give magnesium hydroxide and ammonia gas.
Magnesium nitride and water: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for magnesium nitride and water?
Mg₃N₂(s) + 6 H₂O(l) → 3 Mg(OH)₂(s) + 2 NH₃(g). The coefficients are 1, 6, 3 and 2. Each side then has 3 Mg, 2 N, 12 H and 6 O.
What type of reaction is magnesium nitride and water?
It is a double displacement reaction: two compounds swap their ions. Magnesium nitride reacts with water to give magnesium hydroxide and ammonia gas.
How do you balance Mg₃N₂ + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + NH₃?
Start with the biggest formula, Mg₃N₂: put 1 in front of it. Mg: 3 on the left. Put 3 in front of Mg(OH)₂. N: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of NH₃. H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.