Chemistry Form 4: Chapter 3 - Experiment of Magnesium Oxide Empirical Formula

Procedure of the experiment:

• Magnesium ribbon is cleaned with sandpaper to remove the oxide layer on its surface.
• The lid is removed at intervals to allow oxygen to enter the crucible and react with magnesium.
• The crucible is then quickly covered with its lid to prevent the white fumes of MgO from escaping.
• Heating, cooling and weighing are repeated until a constant mass is obtained to ensure that the magnesium ribbon reacts completely with oxygen gas.

The white powder is magnesium oxide