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Lab Report Chem

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13 views3 pages

Lab Report Chem

Uploaded by

castejon.emma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab report

Determining the empirical formula of magnesium oxide, MgO.

Introduction
During this experiment, the aim was to investigate the empirical formula of magnesium oxide
by establishing the mole ratio of magnesium to oxygen within the compound. In order to find
the empirical formula of magnesium oxide, an experiment involving a reaction between
magnesium and oxygen was done.

Materials
- balance
- Tripod
- Bunsen burner
- Crucible and its lid
- Gauze mat
- Lab coat
- Beaker tongs
- Eye protection
- Magnesium ribbon strips (0.3g ± 0.01g)

Procedure
1. Use a pristine crucible.
2. Proceed to measure 0.3 g of magnesium ribbon using the balance then pour it in the
crucible.
3. Record the mass and the uncertainty (0.27g ± 0.01).
4. Ignite the magnesium ribbon utilising a Bunsen burner, ensuring complete
combustion.
5. Allow the crucible containing the resultant magnesium oxide to cool.
6. Record the mass using a balance (0.49 g ± 0.01 g).

Results

The reaction is initiated with magnesium ribbon strips leading to its combustion with oxygen
and the formation of magnesium oxide (MgO).
The equation demonstrates the chemical reaction that occurred between oxygen and
magnesium ribbon :

2Mg(s) + O^2(g) → 2MgO(s)

During the experiment, a noticeable transformation in physical state was observed. Initially,
magnesium existed in a solid state. The final product displayed a powdery consistency.
Additionally, it was anticipated that some magnesium ribbon would remain suggesting an
incomplete combustion meaning not all magnesium reacted with oxygen.

Determining the empirical formula of magnesium

1. Calculate the amount of moles of oxygen and magnesium


- formula : mass (g)/ Molar mass (g mol -1)
- Oxygen : 0.22/16 = 0.013 ≈ 0.014 mol
- Magnesium : 0.27/24.31 = 0.011 mol

2. Calculate the percentage of magnesium and oxygen in magnesium oxide

- formula : mass (g)/ mass of magnesium oxide (g)


- Magnesium : (0.27/0.49) x 100 = 55.1 ≈ 55%
- Oxygen : (0.22/0.49) x 100 = 44.8 ≈ 45%

3. Calculate the mole ratio of magnesium and oxygen in magnesium oxide :

- formula : percentage (%) /molar mass (g mol -1)


- Magnesium : 55/24 = 2.291
- Oxygen : 45/16 = 2.812

4. Pick the smallest number to find the ratio of magnesium and oxygen

- magnesium : 2.291/2.812 = 0.814 ≈ 1


- oxygen : 2.812/2.812 = 1

5. State the empirical formula of magnesium oxide


- MgO due to the mole ratio 1:1; one molecule of magnesium and one mole of oxygen
chemically bonded together.

Weaknesses of the experiment

- Related to materials
The crucibles may not have been clean properly. An oxide layer can be formed. The
chemicals used during the previous experiment may still be on the crucibles, therefore it
would falsify the data. Removing all impurities from the crucibles is challenging; using brand
new materials ensures accurate data. The balance may have not been calibrated correctly
before using it which would falsify the masses. To address these issues, ensuring proper
procedures and checking the materials would reduce systematic errors

- Related to environment
A change in the atmosphere could happen by opening the door and the windows. It could
cause a change in temperature and in oxygen. Due to the heat system of the room, it may
have impacted the temperatures resulting in different temperatures throughout the
experiment which may have made the temperature a variable component.

- Related to the chemical reaction


It may happen that not all the magnesium may have reacted; the product may still look a bit
grey rather than white. To complete combustion isn’t always possible due to multiple factors
such as temperatures, insufficient residence time, pressure, incorrect quantities etc.

Extension
Exploring the different amounts of magnesium reacting with oxygen would provide additional
data of the relationship between reactants and products in the reaction. Varying components
of the environment such as temperature or pressure can broaden the understanding of
magnesium oxide under various conditions.

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