How do you balance Na + MgF_2 -> NaF + Mg?

1 Answer
Alan P.
Dec 7, 2015

2Na+MgF_2 rarr 2NaF + Mg

Explanation:

The 2 F's on the left side (MgF_color(red)(2)) imply the that right side must have 2 F's (or a multiple of 2).

The only F on the right side is in NaF
so to have 2 F's on the right side we will need 2 NaF's.
color(white)("XXX")color(red)(2NaF)+Mg

This gives us 2 Na's on the right side (color(blue)(2Na)F)
which implies we will need 2 Na's on the left side.
color(white)("XXX")color(blue)(2)Na + MgF_2rarr color(blue)(2Na)F + Mg

At this point the transformation becomes balanced:
On both sides we have:

2 Na's
1 Mg, and
2 F's

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