I need help with combination reactions:
Mg+O2-

Question

I need help with combination reactions:
Mg+O2->

dtan5457 · Answer

If your going to combine them into a compound. Their net charge must be 0.

Mg has a charge of +2 while O has a charge of -2.

Can you combine from here?

montesanna99 · Answer

the subscripts or whatever are throwing me off

dtan5457 · Answer

Well you have O2 here, which technically means that the charge is -4. Therefore, you need Mg2 to neutralize the compound

dtan5457 · Answer

Basically you need to balance it first

dtan5457 · Answer

So you have Mg2+O2=?

Combine it

montesanna99 · Answer

when u reduce it wouldnt it be MgO2

dtan5457 · Answer

You need 2 mg and 2O, your answer has one mg and 2 O.

montesanna99 · Answer

I usually get it but i missed a week of school so im lost

montesanna99 · Answer

i cant remember most of it

dtan5457 · Answer

What your doing wrong is that your giving the answer a subscript instead of a coefficient.

dtan5457 · Answer

A co efficient multiplies the entire compound while a subscript is for a separate element

montesanna99 · Answer

so just put a 2 in front of the answer? 2MgO2

dtan5457 · Answer

Your so close lol. 

Like I said, you need 2 mg and 2O.

2MgO2=2Mg and 4O

dtan5457 · Answer

Take out the 2 for the oxygen and it will be right

montesanna99 · Answer

oh ok so 2MgO

dtan5457 · Answer

yea

montesanna99 · Answer

Ok man i really forgot everything

dtan5457 · Answer

It's fine, feel free to medal and fan and tag me into more questions. I'm studying chemistry too.

montesanna99 · Answer

yea thanks