Balancing Mg + H3PO4 → Mg3(PO4)2 + H2

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How to Balance:

Mg + H3PO4 → Mg3(PO4)2 + H2

Word equation: Magnesium + Phosphoric acid → Magnesium phosphate + Hydrogen gas

Type of Chemical Reaction: For this reaction we have a single displacement reaction.

Balancing Strategies: In this single displacement reaction the Mg is replacing the H atoms in H3PO4. To balance the equation it is helpful to consider the PO4 to be just one item since we have PO4 on both sides of the equation. This makes balancing much simpler.






Essential Resources

For a complete explanation, watch:

When balancing chemical equations our goal is to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Only change the coefficients (these are the numbers in front substances).
Coefficients are the numbers in front of the molecule.
Never change the subscripts (the small numbers after elements).
Coefficients are the numbers in front of the molecule.

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