ACTIVITY 3.

2 AIM : TO DETERMINE THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA OF MAGNESIUM OXIDE APPARATUS : WITH LID, TRIPOD STAND, BUNSEN BURNER, PIPE-CLAY TRIANGLE BALANCE AND TONGS MATERIALS : RIBBON AND SANDPAPER PROCEDURE:

FIGURE 3.15 SET UP OF APPARATUS RESULTS: Description Crucible + Lid Crucible + Lid + Magnesium Crucible + Lid + Magnesium Oxide Calculation: Element Mass (g) Magnesium, Mg q-p Oxygen, O rq Mass(g) p q r

Number of moles

Simplest ratio of moles Conclusions:

qp ------24 x

r-q ------16 y

The empirical formulae for Magnesium Oide is __________ Discussion: 1. The magnesium ribbon is polished to remove the layer of Magnesium Oxide on its surface. - Magnesium is a reactive metal: its reacts easily with oxygen in the air to form oxide. 2. During heating, the lid of the crucible is lifted at intervals to allow the oxygen from the air to enter the crucible for the complete combustion of magnesium. 3. However, the lid of crucible is closed immediately after it is lifted to prevent the white fumes from escaping. The white fumes are actually the Magnesium Oxide. 4. The process of heating, cooling and weighing is repeated to ensure that the magnesium reacts completely to form magnesium oxide. 5. If the combustion of magnesium is incomplete then the simplest ratio of Mg : O is not 1:1