Chemistry Forum

1.99 g of magnesium hydrogencarbonate was added to a 2.118 mol/L solution of acetic acid, CH₃COOH in water (50.0 mL), producing carbon dioxide gas, water and magnesium acetate, Mg(CH₃COO)₂.
- Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction

I've tried doing this manually and it doesnt work and the calculator says its impossible but its a question on a practice exam from my university, can someone help me solve it

MgH₂(CO₃)₂ + 2 CH₃COOH => Mg(CH₃COO)₂ + 2 H₂O + 2 CO₂

Start with this

ChenBeier wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:07 am MgH₂(CO₃)₂ + 2 CH₃COOH => Mg(CH₃COO)₂ + 2 H₂O + 2 CO₂

Start with this

Can you explain how have you gotten that? Do you not begin this with this?

MgH₂(CO₃)₂ + CH₃COOH => Mg(CH₃COO)₂ + CO₂

Theres water on both sides so dont they cancel out and get removed?

No. Your equation isn't balanced. There is no water on both sites, to less acetic acid and to much hydrogen on left side.