Finding the Empirical formula for Magnesium-Oxide.

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Finding the Empirical Formula for Magnesium-Oxide

Aim.

The aim of my experiment is to find out the empirical formulae of magnesium-oxide

 Introduction.

The empirical formula of a compound tells us the types of atoms present in a compound as well as the simplest whole-number ratio of the different types of atoms. The empirical formula does not tell us the actual number of atoms in the molecule.

The mass of Mg + the mass of O2 = mass of MgxOx. Knowing the mass of magnesium used and the mass of magnesium oxide produced you can determine the mass of oxygen used. The ratio between number of moles of magnesium used and number of moles of oxygen used can be calculated and the empirical formula can be written on the basis of this ratio.

Preliminary work

Before the experiment was carried out, research into moles and related topics had been carried out, both in class and out of class.

The empirical formula of Oxygen and Magnesium was found out using chemistry text books.

Hypothesise   

I hypothesise that magnesium can and will join with oxygen to become magnesium oxide (MgO) because magnesium is in group 2 and can has –2 bands. Both magnesium and oxygen need to join each other to lose or gain electrons.

Magnesium:

  Oxygen:

Mg²+O²¯=MgO

 

When magnesium and oxygen coincide they cancel each other out and therefore are completely compatible.

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Apparatus.

1.          Bunsen burner

2.          Tripod

3.          Gauze

4.          Crucible and Lid

5.          Tongs

6.          Heatproof mat

7.          Safety glasses

8.          Magnesium strips

 Safety.

  • As we were dealing with chemicals and heat during the course of this test it was vital that it was carried out with great caution. To achieve this we:
  • Made sure that the work surface was clean and tidy with no unnecessary objects lying around on it.
  • Were cautious about burning magnesium as it burns a bright white light, which is possible to blind any one looking straight at it. 
  • Were careful to ...

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