Questions

Given Equation is 

Mg + O2 → MgO

Balancing the Chemical Equation is nothing but Conservation of Matter. As Matter is Neither created nor Destroyed, it must be conserved.

Here we have 1 Mg and 2 O on the left side and 1 Mg and 1 O on the right side

To balance that, add 1 Mg on the left side so that it becomes 2 Mg and 2 O on the left side

i.e,

2 Mg + O2 → 2 MgO

Here it has 2 Mg & 2 O on the left side and 2 Mg and 2 O on the right side and the Chemical equation is Balanced.

A fool’s errand means a task that has little to no chance of being successful or beneficial.