Experiment 16 - Determination of the Formula Units of Magnesium Oxide

Objective:
To determine the formula units for magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride.

Theory:
In ionic compounds, positively charged cations combine with negatively charged
anions to form neutral compounds. The formula unit provides the ratio of cations to anions.
The formula unit Fe2O3 gives the ration of iron to oxygen as 2:3 for iron (III) oxide. Mole
calculations can be performed to determine the ratio in which ions combine to form
compounds.
The process of oxidation involves the reaction of a metal with oxygen in the air
to form a metal oxide ionic compound. This process usually takes place very slowly, the
formation of rust being an example. The rate of oxidation will take place much more
rapidly if the metal is heated to a very high temperature. In this experiment, a strip of
magnesium metal will be heated in order to oxidize the metal. The magnesium oxide that
forms is an ionic compound. Some of the magnesium will react with nitrogen in the air
to form magnesium nitride.
Average atomic mass of Mg = 24.305 amu
Average atomic mass of O = 15.9994 amu

Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Goggles Required!!
Magnesium sample
Crucible with lid
Water
Bunsen burner
Sand paper

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Electronic Balance
Wire gauze
Tongs
Ring stand
Clay triangle

Procedure:
Oxidation of Magnesium
1. Obtain a sample of magnesium.
2. Sand the sample if necessary to removed tarnished (oxidized metal) magnesium.
3. Find the mass of the crucible with the lid.
4. Crumple the magnesium strip and place it in the crucible and find the mass of the
whole system (crucible/lid/Mg) to determine the mass of the magnesium.
5. Heat the sample of magnesium over a burner by setting the crucible in the clay
triangle and placing the clay triangle on the ring stand above the Bunsen burner.
6. Slowly crack the lid of the crucible by using the tongs. Close the crucible if a bright
light is observed on the inside of the crucible.
7. When the reaction is complete (bright light no longer observed), allow the crucible to cool.
8. Add enough water to soak the ash. This process will release ammonia (NH3).
9. Heat the sample again to drive off all remaining water.
10. Allow the crucible to cool after all the water has been removed.
11. Determine the mass of the magnesium oxide formed in the reaction.

Data:
Prepare tables to record the masses for the oxidation reaction.
Prepare a second table for qualitative observations.

Analysis & Calculations:

1. Determine the ratio of magnesium to oxygen in the magnesium oxide. You will need
to calculate the moles of magnesium and the moles of oxygen and determine the ratio
in which they have combined.
2. Determine the mass of magnesium oxide you would have collected to have the
formula unit for magnesium oxide be exactly the ratio predicted by knowledge of the
charges of Mg and O.

Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Why was it important to clean the magnesium before conducting your experiments?
What types of observations are indications that chemical changes took place?
Why does ammonia form after adding water to the magnesium ash formed?
What are some sources of error that would cause the amount of collected magnesium
oxide to be lower than expected amounts?
5. What are some sources of error that would cause the amount of collected magnesium
oxide to be higher than expected amounts?