1.
Calculate Percent Composition Experimentally
To calculate the experimental percent composition, we use the formula:
Percent Composition of Element = (Mass of Element in Compound / Total Mass of Compound) ×
100
For magnesium oxide (MgO), the compound consists of magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O). To
calculate the experimental percent composition, you need to:
1. Mass of Magnesium (Mg): This is the mass of magnesium before combustion, which
you should have recorded.
2. Mass of Magnesium Oxide (MgO): This is the mass of magnesium oxide formed after
the combustion process.
To find the mass of oxygen, subtract the mass of magnesium from the mass of magnesium
oxide:
Mass of Oxygen = Mass of MgO - Mass of Mg
Now, calculate the percent composition for magnesium and oxygen:
● Percent composition of magnesium: (Mass of Mg / Mass of MgO) × 100
● Percent composition of oxygen: (Mass of O / Mass of MgO) × 100
2. Calculate Percent Composition Theoretically
To calculate the theoretical percent composition, we need the molar masses of magnesium and
oxygen:
● Molar mass of magnesium (Mg) = 24.305 g/mol
● Molar mass of oxygen (O) = 16.00 g/mol
The molar mass of magnesium oxide (MgO) is:
Molar mass of MgO = 24.305 g/mol + 16.00 g/mol = 40.305 g/mol
Now, calculate the theoretical percent composition of each element:
● Percent composition of magnesium: (24.305 g/mol / 40.305 g/mol) × 100 ≈ 60.3%
● Percent composition of oxygen: (16.00 g/mol / 40.305 g/mol) × 100 ≈ 39.7%
3. Calculate Percent Error for Each Element
The percent error is calculated using the formula:
Percent Error = (|Experimental Value - Theoretical Value| / Theoretical Value) × 100
For magnesium: Percent Error for Mg = (|Experimental Mg - 60.3%| / 60.3%) × 100
For oxygen: Percent Error for O = (|Experimental O - 39.7%| / 39.7%) × 100
4. Determine the Empirical Formula Using Mass Data from the Lab
To determine the empirical formula, follow these steps:
1. Moles of Magnesium (Mg): Moles of Mg = Mass of Mg / 24.305 g/mol
2. Moles of Oxygen (O): Moles of O = Mass of O / 16.00 g/mol
Next, find the ratio of moles of magnesium to moles of oxygen. Simplify this ratio to find the
smallest whole number ratio, which will give you the empirical formula.
Compare this empirical formula to the molecular formula, which for magnesium oxide is MgO.
5. Write the Complete Chemical Equation for the Combustion of Magnesium
The complete chemical equation for the combustion of magnesium is:
2Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2MgO (s)
This shows that 2 moles of magnesium react with 1 mole of oxygen to form 2 moles of
magnesium oxide.
6. Stoichiometry to Predict the Mass of Magnesium Oxide
Using stoichiometry, you can predict the mass of magnesium oxide produced based on the
mass of magnesium:
1. Convert the mass of magnesium to moles: Moles of Mg = Mass of Mg / 24.305 g/mol
2. Use the mole ratio from the balanced equation (2 moles of Mg produce 2 moles of MgO)
to find the moles of magnesium oxide.
3. Convert moles of magnesium oxide to grams: Mass of MgO = Moles of MgO × 40.305
g/mol
This will give you the theoretical mass of magnesium oxide.
7. Compare the Theoretical and Actual Mass of Magnesium Oxide
Compare the actual mass of magnesium oxide obtained from the experiment with the theoretical
mass calculated above. If the actual mass is less than the theoretical mass, it suggests
incomplete combustion or loss of magnesium during the reaction. If the actual mass is higher,
impurities (e.g., nitrogen reacting with magnesium) might be present.
Analysis:
1. Why did you cover the crucible when the product lit up?
Covering the crucible prevents the product from reacting too rapidly with oxygen and ensures
that all magnesium is converted to magnesium oxide. It also prevents the escape of any
magnesium oxide product, which could affect the mass and percent composition.
2. Does your data suggest that all of the magnesium burned?
If there is a significant difference between the expected and actual mass of magnesium oxide, it
could indicate that not all of the magnesium was burned. For example, some magnesium might
have vaporized or failed to react completely with oxygen.
3. Could the amount of magnesium given to each group have been a source of
error?
Yes, differences in the amount of magnesium provided to each group could affect the amount of
magnesium oxide produced, leading to variations in percent composition and error calculations.
4. How might reacting with nitrogen affect the experimental percent composition?
Magnesium can react with nitrogen to form magnesium nitride (Mg₃N₂), which would increase
the mass of the product and skew the percent composition of magnesium oxide by adding extra
magnesium in the product.
5. Identify 3 sources of error for this experiment:
1. Incomplete combustion of magnesium (not all magnesium reacts with oxygen).
2. Loss of magnesium oxide product during the heating process.
3. Contamination from reactions with nitrogen or moisture in the air.
