Reaction of Magnesium with Oxygen
Magnesium metal is burned in air forming magnesium oxide. This is an interesting oxidation/reduction reaction because it shows the burning of a metal, because the products of the reaction are visible afterwards, and because it produces a lot of light.
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Keywords
alkaline earths, combination reaction, combustion reaction, descriptive chemistry, fire/flammability, oxides, oxygen, redox reaction, strong reducing agent
Multimedia
Play movie
(QuickTime 3.0 Sorenson, duration 14 seconds, size 990 K)
Magnesium metal is burned in air forming magnesium oxide.
 Magnesium metal |
 ...is burned in air |
 ...forming magnesium oxide. |
Additional still images for this movie
Discussion
When magnesium burns in air the principal product is magnesium oxide, but some magnesium nitride is also formed.
The equations for the reactions are
2 Mg(s ) + O2(g ) --> 2 MgO(s )
3 Mg(s ) + N2(g ) --> Mg3N2(s )
Demonstration Notes, Warnings, Safety Information, etc.
Exam and Quiz Questions
1. What evidence can you cite that supports the hypothesis that a chemical reaction has occurred?
2. Write down all the observations you can make about what happens in the video.