What is the product of combustion of magnesium?

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the product of combustion of magnesium?

Explanation:
When a metal burns in air, it reacts with oxygen to form a metal oxide. For magnesium, the burning reaction with oxygen gives magnesium oxide, MgO. The balanced equation is 2 Mg + O2 → 2 MgO, and the visible product is a white solid of MgO. Magnesium metal isn’t the product of combustion, and the formation of magnesium hydroxide would require reaction with water rather than just oxygen, while magnesium peroxide isn’t the typical product from normal burning in air. So MgO is the correct product.

When a metal burns in air, it reacts with oxygen to form a metal oxide. For magnesium, the burning reaction with oxygen gives magnesium oxide, MgO. The balanced equation is 2 Mg + O2 → 2 MgO, and the visible product is a white solid of MgO.

Magnesium metal isn’t the product of combustion, and the formation of magnesium hydroxide would require reaction with water rather than just oxygen, while magnesium peroxide isn’t the typical product from normal burning in air. So MgO is the correct product.

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