1. Empirical Formula of Magnesium Oxide
Name________
You will need the following apparatus:
Bunsen burner
Tripod
Clay pipe triangle
Crucible and lid
Balance
Magnesium
Tongs
Crucible + Lid
Instructions
Set up the apparatus as shown
Weigh the empty crucible and its lid
Put in a piece of magnesium and weigh it again
Heat the crucible with the bunsen – lift the lid occasionally to let in more oxygen
When the reaction is complete, allow to cool, then weigh the crucible again
You can now calculate the mass of the Magnesium, Oxygen and Magnesium Oxide
You can now work out the empirical formula of the Magnesium Oxide
Results table
Calculate Empirical Formula
Item
Mass
(1) Crucible + Lid
(2) Crucible + Lid
+ Magnesium before heating
(3) Crucible + Lid
+ Magnesium after heating
Elements
Magnesium
Oxygen
Amount in question
Atomic mass (periodic table) 24 16
Number of moles = Amount in question Atomic mass __ =
Mole ratio (divide each number of moles by the smallest number of moles)
______
Empirical formula Mg O
Mass of Magnesium = (2) – (1) _______
Mass of Oxygen = (3) – (2) __________