Question

write a balanced neutralization equation between nitric acid and magnesium hydroxide. use the editor to format your answer

Explanation:

Step1: Write the unbalanced equation

Nitric acid ($\ce{HNO3}$) reacts with magnesium hydroxide ($\ce{Mg(OH)2}$). The general form of an acid - base neutralization reaction is acid + base → salt + water. The unbalanced equation is $\ce{HNO3 + Mg(OH)2
ightarrow Mg(NO3)2 + H2O}$

Step2: Balance the nitrate ions

On the left - hand side, there is 1 $\ce{NO3^{-}}$ in $\ce{HNO3}$, and on the right - hand side, there are 2 $\ce{NO3^{-}}$ in $\ce{Mg(NO3)2}$. So, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of $\ce{HNO3}$. The equation becomes $\ce{2HNO3 + Mg(OH)2
ightarrow Mg(NO3)2 + H2O}$

Step3: Balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms

On the left - hand side, the number of $\ce{H}$ atoms: from $\ce{2HNO3}$ we have 2 $\ce{H}$ atoms, and from $\ce{Mg(OH)2}$ we have 2 $\ce{H}$ atoms (since $\ce{Mg(OH)2}$ has 2 $\ce{OH^{-}}$ groups). On the right - hand side, in $\ce{H2O}$, we have 2 $\ce{H}$ atoms. For oxygen atoms (excluding nitrate oxygen), on the left - hand side, $\ce{Mg(OH)2}$ has 2 $\ce{O}$ atoms (from $\ce{OH^{-}}$ groups). On the right - hand side, $\ce{H2O}$ has 1 $\ce{O}$ atom. We put a coefficient of 2 in front of $\ce{H2O}$. The balanced equation is $\ce{2HNO3 + Mg(OH)2 = Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O}$

Answer:

$\ce{2HNO3 + Mg(OH)2 = Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O}$