Balancing Act Homework: Balance each chemical equation, showing your work.

Here are the balanced chemical equations with the atom counts shown for each step.

1. Na + MgF₂ → NaF + Mg

* Unbalanced List:
* Left: Na = 1, Mg = 1, F = 2
* Right: Na = 1, Mg = 1, F = 1
* Step 1: Balance Fluorine (F). There are 2 on the left and 1 on the right. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of NaF.
* Equation: Na + MgF₂ → 2NaF + Mg
* Step 2: Balance Sodium (Na). Now there are 2 Na on the right. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of Na on the left.
* Equation: 2Na + MgF₂ → 2NaF + Mg
* Final Check:
* Left: Na = 2, Mg = 1, F = 2
* Right: Na = 2, Mg = 1, F = 2

2. Mg + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂

* Unbalanced List:
* Left: Mg = 1, H = 1, Cl = 1
* Right: Mg = 1, H = 2, Cl = 2
* Step 1: Balance Chlorine (Cl) and Hydrogen (H). There are 2 of each on the right, but only 1 of each on the left. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl.
* Equation: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂
* Final Check:
* Left: Mg = 1, H = 2, Cl = 2
* Right: Mg = 1, H = 2, Cl = 2

3. Cl₂ + KI → KCl + I₂

* Unbalanced List:
* Left: Cl = 2, K = 1, I = 1
* Right: Cl = 1, K = 1, I = 2
* Step 1: Balance Iodine (I). There are 2 on the right. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of KI.
* Equation: Cl₂ + 2KI → KCl + I₂
* Step 2: Balance Potassium (K). Now there are 2 K on the left. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of KCl.
* Equation: Cl₂ + 2KI → 2KCl + I₂
* Final Check:
* Left: Cl = 2, K = 2, I = 2
* Right: Cl = 2, K = 2, I = 2

4. NaCl → Na + Cl₂

* Unbalanced List:
* Left: Na = 1, Cl = 1
* Right: Na = 1, Cl = 2
* Step 1: Balance Chlorine (Cl). There are 2 on the right. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of NaCl.
* Equation: 2NaCl → Na + Cl₂
* Step 2: Balance Sodium (Na). Now there are 2 Na on the left. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of Na on the right.
* Equation: 2NaCl → 2Na + Cl₂
* Final Check:
* Left: Na = 2, Cl = 2
* Right: Na = 2, Cl = 2

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Final Answer:
1. 2Na + MgF₂ → 2NaF + Mg
2. Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂
3. Cl₂ + 2KI → 2KCl + I₂
4. 2NaCl → 2Na + Cl₂