Translate the skeleton chemical equation:
magnesium bromide and silver(i) nitrate react to produce magnesium nitrate and silver(i) bromide.

MgBr₂ + AgNO₃ => Mg(NO₃)₂ + AgBr

Explanation:

Find the element symbol and charge of each element on the periodic table. For polyatomic ions (nitrate), reference your polyatomic ions chart. Use the "partner's charge" rule to find the number of atoms in each compound.

Charges are written as superscripts. "1" is usually not written, just the + or - sign. The charge of silver is 1, which is the (I) bracket roman numeral 1. It is indicated like that because it is multivalent, meaning it has more than one possible charge.

Write each element as an ion (with the charge).

Magnesium is Mg²⁺

Bromide is Br⁻

Silver(I) is Ag⁺

Nitrate is (NO₃)⁻

Write each compound.

REACTANTS SIDE

Magnesium bromide

Mg²⁺Br⁻    Cross over the partner's charge. Since Br is charge 1, Mg has 1 atom. Since Mg has charge 2, Br has 2 atoms.

MgBr₂

Silver(I) nitrate

Ag⁺(NO₃)⁻

AgNO₃       Both have 1 atom because each partner's charge was 1. You do not need to write brackets if nitrate only has 1 atom.

PRODUCTS SIDE

Magnesium nitrate

Mg²⁺(NO₃)⁻

Mg(NO₃)₂      Nitrate has 2 atoms because magnesium's charge is 2.

Silver(I) bromide

Ag⁺Br⁻

AgBr       Both have 1 atom.

Write the compounds into an equation. Reactants go on the left side, products go on the right side. Between the reactants and products, write an arrow.

MgBr₂ + AgNO₃ => Mg(NO₃)₂ + AgBr