Heating Magnesium With Oxygen Results In Magnesium Oxide

Heating Magnesium with Oxygen results in Magnesium oxide. In this experiment, the empirical formula of Magnesium oxide was determined by heating a sample of magnesium ribbon in a crucible in an oxygen and nitrogen filled environment. Because nitrogen reacts with magnesium to form Mg3N2, 1 ml of water was added to release the nitrogen from Mg3N2 to form Mg(OH)2. The remaining compounds of Magnesium oxide and Mg(OH)2 were later heated in the crucible to form Magnesium oxide. The experimental empirical formula was later calculated as MgO with a percent yield of 98.97%. The calculated empirical formula was neither Mg rich nor poor since the Mg to O ratio was 1:1, making the experimental formula identical and accurate to the theoretical formula: