Finding the Empirical Formula for Magnesium Oxide

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Joanna Sedgwick

Finding the Empirical Formula for

Magnesium Oxide

The Results

In order to work out the ratio for magnesium and oxygen, I will have to calculate the amount of magnesium and oxygen used.

From these results, and knowing that the Ar for Magnesium is 24, and the Ar for Oxygen is 16, I can find the number of moles for Magnesium and Oxygen.

Investigation 1:

Magnesium        = 36.08 – 36.04

= 0.04g

Oxygen        = 36.11 – 36.08

= 0.03g

    Magnesium Ar = 24                                         Oxygen Ar = 16

Investigation 2:

Magnesium        = 36.10 – 36.03

= 0.07g

Oxygen        = 36.14 – 36.10

= 0.04g

    Magnesium Ar = 24                                         Oxygen Ar = 16

To ensure that my final answer was as accurate as possible, I did not round any numbers until the end to get the most accurate final equation. Likewise for test 1, 3, and the average.

Investigation 3:

Magnesium        = 36.10 – 36.03

= 0.07g

Oxygen        = 36.19 – 36.12

= 0.07g

    Magnesium Ar = 24                                         Oxygen Ar = 16

To ensure that my final answer was as accurate as possible, I did not round any decimals off until the end to maintain accuracy throughout the calculation.

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Average of Investigation 1, 2, and 3

Magnesium mean        = (0.04 + 0.07 + 0.07)

                                          3

= 0.06g

Oxygen mean                = (0.03 + 0.04 + 0.07)

                                           3

= 0.047 (2 s.f.)

    Magnesium Ar = 24                                         Oxygen Ar = 16

Conclusion

Looking at the formula for the average ...

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