Activity 3

Practical: Investigating the formula of a metal oxide by combustion.

Risk Assessment:
As a general rule, eye protection (goggles) must be worn for all practicals.
hazard possible harm precaution
crucible, lid and skin burns allow apparatus to cool before handling it
tongs
Bunsen burner skin burns, fire keep hair and clothes tucked in, and do
not bring flammable solvents near to the
flame

Experiment Set-up:

Figure: Apparatus for determining the formula of magnesium oxide

Apparatus:
crucible with lid
Bunsen burner
pipeclay triangle
tripod
magnesium ribbon
Theory: We can find the formula of magnesium oxide by burning of magnesium in
oxygen and looking at how the mass changes.
Method: The following procedure usually used:
 Weigh a crucible with a lid.
 Place a piece of magnesium ribbons about 10 cm long in the crucible and weigh the
crucible and contents.
 Set up the apparatus as shown above.
 Heat the crucible strongly (a roaring flame).
 Lift the lid every few seconds.
 When the reaction is finished, allow the crucible and contents to coo.
 Weigh the crucible and contents.
A set of results for this practical could be:
Mass of empty crucible 32.46
Mass of crucible + magnesium / g 32.70
Mass of crucible + contents at end of experiment / g 32.86
Calculation:
Mass of magnesium = 32.70 – 32.46 = 0.24 g
Mass of oxygen = 32.86 – 32.70 = 0.16 g
Mg O

0.24 g 0.16 g
0.24 0.16
= 24 mol = 16
mol
= 0.01 mol = 0.01 mol
0.24 0.16
= 0.24 mol = 0.16
mol
= 1 mol = 1 mol
So, the empirical formula of magnesium oxide = MgO.
Questions:
1. How do we know when the reaction has finished?
2. What are the observations when you burn magnesium in air?
3. Why do we do step 5 of the experiment?
4. What is the word equation of the reaction when magnesium burns in air?
5. What is the balanced chemical equation of the reaction when magnesium burns in
air?
6. What is combustion reaction?
7. You may not get the ratio of magnesium and oxygen is 1∶1. Explain why?