Metal Oxide | Science

Hi everyone! Welcome to another post, today in science we have been given the task to create a post about one of the experiments that we have done for our current topic in science. I chose to do one about making Metal Oxide.

Aim: To make a metal oxide the observe the reactions of the products.

Equipment: Piece/strip of Magnesium (Mg), Bunsen Burner, Safety Glasses, scissor tongs.

Method: 
   1. Light your Bunsen Burner
   2. Hold the piece of Magnesium onto the scissors, make sure to hold the piece of Magnesium at the very tip.
   3. Place the other end of the Magnesium onto the flame (top of blue flame).

!CAUTION! : Do not look directly at the burning piece of Magnesium as it can damage your eyes. 

Results/Conclusion: 
   ⤿ After the Magnesium was lit on fire, it burned for a bit showcasing a bright white light. After that, the light ceased and the Magnesium was burnt it left behind a white powdery substance, which is Magnesium Oxide.

When Magnesium is heated and released into air/oxygen, it reacts with oxygen to create Magnesium Oxide. When burning it releases a tremendous amount of heat, an exothermic reaction. As a result of this reaction, magnesium gives up two electrons to oxygen.

Observations: When the metal was burning, why is it so dangerous to look at the light? 
   ⤿ When the Magnesium was burning it is dangerous to look at the light. This is because the light can create damage to your eyes which can create complications for your sight. 

Credit: uwaterloo

Extra: Magnesium burning underwater.

Observation: Why does Magnesium still burn underwater?

As said above, when Magnesium burns it releases a tremendous amount of heat. When water is added to this tremendous amount of heat the water will then evaporate into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen vapours will once again react to the magnesium and ignite it. Now the cool thing about this is that the water will only accelerate the fire and will not put the fire out.