Determining the Percent Composition and Empirical Formula of Magnesium Oxide

Purpose: To determine the percentage composition and the empirical formula of magnesium oxide.

Materials:

Electronic balance (+/- 0.01 g) sand paper

8 cm strip Mg ribbon Bunsen burner
Retort stand flint lighter
Ring clamp clay triangle
Clean crucible and lid crucible tongs
Safety glasses

Safety:

- Do not look directly at the burning magnesium.

- Do not put hot crucibles on the bench or the electronic balance.
- Loose clothing, long hair, and papers should be secured while working with the Bunsen Burner.
- Open flames should not be left unattended.

Pre-Lab:

- Prior to beginning the procedure a “doodle page” must be completed.

- Carefully read over the procedure, and prepare a results table in which to record all required measurements and
qualitative observations

Procedure:

a) Assemble the retort stand, ring clamp, clay triangle, and Bunsen burner. Make sure your crucible and lid are
clean and dry.

b) Obtain a strip of magnesium metal, approximately 8 cm in length. Clean the magnesium strip with sand paper to
remove any metal oxide coating.

c) Measure and record the mass of the empty crucible and lid. Add the magnesium to the crucible and mass the
entire crucible, lid and magnesium strip.

d) With the lid partially on, place the crucible containing the magnesium on the clay triangle. Heat the crucible
with a strong flame until it ignites.

e) Carefully remove the lid with the crucible tongs. Continue heating until the magnesium ignites again then
quickly re-cover it. Repeat the heating and cooling process until the magnesium no longer ignites when
uncovered. Heat for a further 2 to 3 minutes with the lid off.

f) Using the crucible tongs, place the crucible on a ceramic pad and allow it to cool. Once it has done so, measure
the mass of the crucible, lid and magnesium oxide.

g) Dispose of the magnesium oxide as instructed by your teacher. Clean and return all equipment.

h) Use the data you collected to determine the percent composition and the empirical formula of magnesium
oxide.
Analysis: To be handed in with the doodle page and data table.

Complete the following calculations with all work shown:

1. Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide obtained from your experiment.

2. Calculate the mass of oxygen that reacted with the magnesium in your experiment.

3. Calculate the percentage composition of magnesium oxide using your experimental data.

4. Calculate the empirical formula of magnesium oxide using your experimental data.
Post-Lab Discussion Questions:

1. Calculate the percent composition of magnesium oxide from the chemical formula of magnesium
oxide. These will be actual values.

2. Calculate the percent error of your results by comparing the percent composition of each element
determined from your experimental data to the actual percent composition of magnesium oxide (from
Q#1).

3. Suppose some of the magnesium in your crucible did not ignite and therefore remained unreacted.
How would this affect your calculated percent composition and empirical formula? Explain.

4. What else might the Mg have reacted with in the air? What product would be produced?