Burning of a Magnesium Ribbon

This experiment aims to study the combination reaction between metal (magnesium) and oxygen. Magnesium forms magnesium oxide on burning in the presence of air. It is a combination reaction between two elements. Magnesium oxide is basic in nature; thus, its aqueous solution turns red litmus blue. 

2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s)

In this experiment, apparatus and materials are required: A pair of tongs, a burner, a pair of goggles, a watch glass, a beaker, a piece of sandpaper, magnesium ribbon (2 to 3 cm long), red and blue litmus papers, and distilled water.

Experiment Procedure

To perform this experiment, steps to be followed in the following manner:

1. Take a magnesium ribbon (2 to 3 cm long) and clean it with sandpaper. This will remove the oxide layer deposited over the magnesium ribbon, which makes it passive. 
2.  Hold the magnesium ribbon with a pair of tongs over a watch glass and burn it in the air with a burner. Watch the burning of magnesium ribbon using a pair of dark goggles.
3. Collect the white powder obtained on the watch glass.
4. Transfer and mix the white powder in a beaker containing a small amount of distilled water. 
5. Put drops of this mixture over the red and blue litmus papers and record your observations.

From this experiment, we have learnt that when a white-coloured magnesium ribbon is heated in the air, it burns with a white dazzling white flame and forms a white powder chemically known as magnesium oxide. 

When the formed product, that is, magnesium oxide, reacts with water, it produces magnesium hydroxide, which is basic in nature. 

FAQs on Burning of a Magnesium Ribbon