Anson Wong

CHEM 2051
October 11, 2010

The Empirical Formula of a Compound

Abstract

In this experiment, a scale was used to measure out the weight

of the product of

magnesium combusted using oxygen. This weight was then taken as a

ratio of oxygen to magnesium in order to find the empirical formula.

The ratio turned out to be 1:1, and the empirical formula is MgO.

Introduction

The main purpose of this experiment is to determine the simplest

whole number
ratio of oxygen atoms to magnesium atoms in the compound

magnesium oxide (MgO). The molar ratio of these two atoms can be

then used to write the empirical formula of the resulting compound. By

combusting magnesium with oxygen, the mass of the product can be

measured to find the moles of each element, and then taken as a ratio

to determine the empirical formula.

Procedure

A crucible and a crucible cover were first cleaned out. Next, the

crucible was placed on a clay triangle supported by a ring stand. The

cover was then placed directly on top of the crucible, then heated by a

Bunsen burner for approximately five minutes. After the heating

process, the crucible was allowed to cool to room temperature and a

ten-centimeter magnesium ribbon was obtained. The magnesium

ribbon was roughly sanded down with sandpaper, and then cut into

two five-centimeter lengths. The cooled crucible was then weighed to

the nearest 0.001 grams. Each half of the magnesium ribbon was

loosely coiled up and placed at the bottom of the crucible, and

weighed all together on the scale. After placing the crucible back on

top of the clay triangle, the crucible was then heated gently at first,

then vigorously for fifteen minutes, making sure to leave the crucible

cover securely in place. After these fifteen minutes, the crucible was

then allowed to cool to room temperature and the cover was adjusted
to create a small opening. The crucible was then heated for another

ten minutes and cooled to room temperature. The crucible was then

checked to see if the magnesium had fully reacted with the oxygen:

the magnesium was done when it was no longer glowing red hot. After

the contents had fully reacted, the crucible was heated with the cover

off for a few more minutes, and then cooled to room temperature.

Once at room temperature, the crucible had ten to fifteen drops of

water added to it and reheated to insure that the magnesium fully

reacted with oxygen. After cooling the crucible to room temperature,

the crucible was then weighed to find the mass of the resulting

magnesium oxide.

Data

Mass crucible + cover 23.369 grams

Mass crucible + cover + Mg 23.541 grams
Mass crucible + cover + 23.649 grams

magnesium oxide

(1st weighing)
Mass crucible + cover + 23.644 grams

magnesium oxide (2nd weighing)

Calculations
Results and Discussion

As a result of the molar ratios of magnesium to oxygen

calculated in experiment, the ratio was found to be approximately 1:1.

This ratio makes sense because the common charges of magnesium

and oxygen are +2 and -2, respectively. It was very important to use

water drops to eliminate any traces of magnesium nitride, since the

end mass may have turned out differently than if the magnesium were

to fully react.

I think the main sources of error in this experiment may have

been mainly due to the covering/uncovering of the crucible cover. I

may not have fully secured the cover on top of the crucible during the

initial 15 minute heating, and may have left too much of an opening

during the second heating phase. This may have slightly altered my

resulting mass, although it may not have been very much of a change.