EMPIRICAL FORMULA FOR MAGNESIUM OXIDE.

Date completed:22/08/18

INTRODUCTION:

Research questions: The aim of this experiment is to determine,

How does varying the mass of magnesium affect the mass of magnesium oxide produced?
What is the percentage composition of the magnesium oxide produced in the lab?
What is the empirical formula of the magnesium oxide produced in the lab?

Theory: The reaction in the experiment is a combustion reaction (reaction with oxygen) its
word equation: magnesium (Mg)+ oxygen (O) magnesium oxide MgO
We can work out the measured amount of magnesium oxide produced, by using the law of
conservation of mass which states that in a closed system reaction, mass is conserved.
Therefore, the amount of magnesium oxide produced is equal to the total amount of
magnesium and oxygen that reacted. We can then convert the masses to moles, which will
help us find the empirical formula, since the empirical formula is the simplest molar ratio.

Variables in the experiment:

Independent variable-amount of magnesium used

Dependent variable- amount of magnesium oxide produced
Controlled variables- Room temperature, surface area of magnesium, concentration of oxygen,
heating time, flame temperature and the container used.

Safety Notes: To ensure eye protection, goggles worn and direct eye contact with burning
magnesium (extremely bright white light) was avoided. Open flame is present, so tongs were used.
the experiment was conducted in a well-ventilated space with a small extractor present to ensure no
inhalation of fumes. Sensible footwear and clothing were worn.

Apparatus:

 Magnesium ribbon: approx. 0.250g

 Crucible with lid
 Bunsen burner
 Pipe clay triangle
 Tripod
 Safety glasses
 Electronic balance
 Metal tongs
 Lighter
Methodology:

We can ensure fair testing by:

Reducing random error: ensured mass of magnesium was accurate by weighing several times and
obtaining an average, lifted lid every 3 mins to reduce/prevent reactants from escaping, performed
on the same day in the same lab to ensure no drastic changes in atmospheric conditions, balance
calibrated prior to weighing.

Reducing systematic error: heating crucible prior to the experiment, to remove any previous residue
that would affect mass. Scrubbing magnesium ribbon with sand paper to remove previously oxidized
magnesium which can hinder proper combustion.

 We can determine when the magnesium has been heated enough when there is no more
change in mass.

Procedure:

1) We set up the tripod over the Bunsen burner and then placed the clay triangle carefully on
top.
2) Prior to beginning the experiment, we placed the crucible on top of the clay triangle after
washing it with water and then heated the crucible for 5 mins before we added the
magnesium. This was to remove any chemical residue or liquid after washing thoroughly,
which could have affected the rate of combustion and interfered with the mass.
3) We weighed the crucible and the lid to obtain its mass, we did this several times so we could
obtain an average.
4) We weighed out approximately 0.250g of magnesium before scrubbing with sandpaper to
remove oxidized magnesium.
5) We folded the strip of magnesium and put it in the crucible.
6) We then noted down the mass of the crucible with the lid and the magnesium inside
7) We then heated the crucible, lid and magnesium.
8) Then using tongs, we lifted the crucible lid every 2 mins for 10seconds to observe the
reaction.
9) After the magnesium had stopped burning (15 mins) we left the crucible to cool.
10) When it was cool enough we noted down the mass of the crucible, the lid and its contents
11) We then heated for a further 5 mins and again left it to cool.
12) After the crucible had cooled we then weighed it again.
13) This process is supposed to be continued until no more change in mass is recorded.

Apparatus set up:

 Measurement 1 Measurement 2 Average
Mass (g) of 22.722 22.732 22.727
crucible&lid
0.001g
Mass (g) of 22.986 22.983 22.985
crucible,lid & Mg/
0.001g
(before heating)
Mass (g) of 23.105 23.107 23.106
crucible,lid & Mg/
0.001g
(after 15 mins
heating)

Mass (g) of 23.111 23.118 23.115

crucible,lid & Mg/
0.001g
(after 20 mins of
heating)
Mass (g) of 23.127 23.124 23.125
crucible,lid &
MgO/ 0.001g
(after 25 mins of
heating)

Mass (g) of MgO 23.127- 23.124- 0.399

22.722=0.405 22.732=0.392
Mass (g) of Mg 22.986- 22.983- 0.258
22.722=0.264 22.732=0.251
Moles of Mg 0.258/24.31=0.011
% of Mg (0.258/0.399)x100=64.66%
Mass (g) of O2 23.127- 23.124- 0.141
22.986=0.141 22.983=0.141

Moles of O2 0.130/6=0.008
% Of O2 (0.141/0.399)x100=35.33%

Observations:

 Until 6 mins had passed no burning or light was observed.

 After 6 mins a red light was observed which became a bright white light after the lid
had had been lifted for a few seconds.
 After 10 minutes white ash with a red glow could be seen.
 After the 15 minute weigh, it was reignited with an orange glow
 There was no ignition after 20 mins, but we heated it for a further 5 mins
Graph:

Mass of Mass of MgO

magnesium (g) produced (g)
0.001g 0.001g
Kaspar + 0.395 0.656
marcus
Rama + freya 0.481 0.777
Xinyu + hodan 0.408 0.631
Adrea+ marta 0.263 0.357
Trine + meghan 0.232 0.431
Alicja + anna 0.114 0.182
Cornelia +ella 0.112 0.177
Oscar + advit 0.090 0.585
Håkon + mikkel 0.454 0.690
Anas + alex 0.258 0.399
Anna + annika 0.480 0.610

effect of changing the mass of Mg on the mass of

MgO produced
0.9
Mass of MgO produced (g)

0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
mass of Mg (g)
Percentage composition: (please see table for workings out) 64.6% magnesium (Mg) 33.35%
oxygen (O)

Empirical formula:

Mass of Mg = 0.258g
Mass of magnesium oxide = mass of Mg + mass of O

0.399g = 0.258g + mass of O

Mass of O = (0.399– 0.258) g = 0.141g
Moles of Mg= 0.258g  24.31= 0.011 mol
Moles of O = 0.130  6 = 0.008 mol

element Mass/g Moles ratio intergers

O 0.141 0.011 0.141/0.008=1.38 1
Mg 0.258 0.008 0.008/0.008=1.00 1

Therefore empirical formula = MgO

Conclusion:

How does varying the mass of magnesium affect the mass of magnesium oxide produced?

Theoretically increasing the mass of magnesium should also increase the mass of magnesium oxide
produced. Since oxygen becomes ionically bonded to the magnesium and therefore increases its
mass. The graph is not without many anomalies, however, we can see a general positive correlation
indicating that theoretically and practically the mass of MgO produced is dependent on the mass of
Mg used.

What is the percentage composition of the magnesium oxide produced in the lab?

Through calculation the percentage composition of MgO was found to be 64.6% magnesium (Mg)
and 33.35% oxygen (O)

What is the empirical formula of the magnesium oxide produced in the lab?
Empirical formula of magnesium oxide is indicated to be in a ratio of 1:1 of magnesium and oxygen.
During the experiment we were careful to ensure mass measurements were accurate and that the
lid was lifted for a limited amount of time to ensure reactants did not escape. Thus enabling us to
calculate from our data an empirical formula that matched the theoretical value and proving
magnesium to be Mg1 O1 which is MgO.

Discussion:

The lab proves that it is possible for a compound to exist in its empirical formula state with its
simplest molar ratio. The theoretical empirical formula MgO was proved to be the same as the
experimental result, demonstrating that a high level of precision had been used and successful
limitation of systematic and random error had been achieved. We were less successful in definitively
proving that the mass of MgO produced is dependent on the mass of Mg used, however aside from
anomalous results our graph, it still shows a positive correlation in mass used and mass produced. To
assist with the issue, we could either increase the time of the experiment and reduce systematic
and random error. The time limitations also impacted the accuracy of the amount of MgO produced
since we failed to heat again until a definite cease in mass change was recorded, leading to
anomalous results. We successfully reduced random error by taking several readings and obtaining
an average. Further issues with ineffective combust could be avoided by ensuring the same surface
area of magnesium was used and using a rod to stir the contents of the crucible to ensure no
incomplete combustion.

References:

Chemistry for the IB diploma By Steve Owen Cambridge second edition