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.