Question
Question: Complete the reaction \(MgO+{{H}_{2}}O\to \)...
Complete the reaction
MgO+H2O→
Solution
Metal oxides react with water in order to form metal hydroxides. These compounds are basic in nature because of the presence of hydroxide ion, which they can liberate when in aqueous solution.
-The reaction is generally known as a combination reaction, as two reactants are combining in order to form a single product.
Complete answer:
In order to complete the equation we will first count the number of oxygen atoms present in the given equation, which is two. And we know that metal oxides react with water in order to form metal hydroxides. Metal hydroxides are also termed as strong bases as they have a tendency to release its hydroxide ion in aqueous solution in order to form the corresponding conjugate acid.
The reaction is as follows,
MgO+H2O→Mg(OH)2
Here we can see that one molecule of magnesium oxide combines with one molecule of water, in order to form one molecule of magnesium hydroxide. This is the reason, this reaction is also called a combination reaction, as two different molecules are combining in order to form a new molecule with different properties. Generally, we should balance any reaction after writing the whole reaction completely, but specifically in this reaction, all the elements are equal on both the sides, so there is no need for any coefficient.
This method of preparation of magnesium hydroxide is widely used in its production industrially. It has a wide range of application, and commonly used as an antacid in order to treat heartburn, acidic stomach and indigestion. It is also used as a laxative in order to soothe chronic constipation.
Note: One molecule of magnesium oxide reacts with one molecule of water to form a molecule of magnesium hydroxide.
-All the elements in this reaction are balanced, so the coefficient of every molecule is one.