Mg(s, silvery-white) + O2(g)
limiting reagent
MgxOy(s,
white)
0.353 g of Mg solid
Atmospheric oxygen in
excess
heat
Result: Mass of MgxOy = 0.585 g
Determining the
Empirical Formula of Magnesium Oxide
The goal is to
determine x and y in
the unknown magnesium oxide, MgxOy, by burning a
known
mass of
Mg in an excess of oxygen.