12/20 Balance this equation: HgOarrow 2Hg+O_(2)

To balance the chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.<br /><br />Given equation: $HgO\rightarrow 2Hg+O_{2}$<br /><br />Step 1: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.<br /><br />On the left side:<br />- Hg: 1 atom<br />- O: 1 atom<br /><br />On the right side:<br />- Hg: 2 atoms<br />- O: 2 atoms<br /><br />Step 2: Balance the atoms of each element by adjusting the coefficients.<br /><br />To balance the Hg atoms, we need to have 2 Hg atoms on the left side. So, we multiply the coefficient of HgO by 2:<br /><br />$2HgO\rightarrow 2Hg+O_{2}$<br /><br />Step 3: Check the balance of the atoms.<br /><br />On the left side:<br />- Hg: 2 atoms<br />- O: 2 atoms<br /><br />On the right side:<br />- Hg: 2 atoms<br />- O: 2 atoms<br /><br />The equation is now balanced.<br /><br />Answer: $2HgO\rightarrow 2Hg+O_{2}$