Balancing Chemical Equations:

Balancing chemical equations is the process of ensuring that there are equal numbers of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides of the equation.

Steps to Balance Chemical Equations:

1. Write the unbalanced equation.
2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
3. Add coefficients to balance the equation.
4. Double-check that the equation is balanced.

Balancing the given equation:

MgO + N2 -> Mg3N2

The unbalanced equation has 1 Mg atom, 1 O atom, and 2 N atoms on the reactant side, and 3 Mg atoms and 2 N atoms on the product side.

To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

1. Start by balancing the magnesium atoms. We need 3 Mg atoms on the reactant side to match the 3 Mg atoms on the product side.

MgO + N2 -> 3Mg + Mg3N2

2. Next, balance the nitrogen atoms. We have 2 N atoms on the reactant side and 2 N atoms in the Mg3N2 product. To balance the equation, we need to add another N2 molecule to the reactant side.

MgO + 2N2 -> 3Mg + Mg3N2

3. Finally, double-check that the equation is balanced. We have 1 Mg atom, 1 O atom, and 4 N atoms on both the reactant and product sides, so the equation is balanced.

Conclusion:

The balanced equation for the reaction between MgO and N2 is:

MgO + 2N2 -> 3Mg + Mg3N2.