what happens when magnesium ribbon is burnt in air?

Today, you are going to learn what happens when magnesium ribbon is burnt in air. The reaction is related to Chemical reactions and equations.

Magnesium is a reactive metal. When magnesium ribbon is burnt in the air, it reacts with the oxygen present in the air. it burns with brilliant white dazzling flam and forms white ash which is magnesium oxide.

The balanced chemical equation of burning of magnesium ribbon

 

2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s)

Magnesium combines with oxygen to form magnesium oxide, so it is a combination reaction.

Read more-  Experiment showing burning of magnesium

Oxygen is added to magnesium so it is an oxidation reaction also.

During the burning of the magnesium ribbon experiment, a huge amount of energy is evolved so it is an exothermic reaction.

Magnesium gives up two electrons and forms the magnesium cation Mg²⁺.

Mg  →Mg²⁺   + 2e^-

Oxygen receives two electrons and forms an anion

O₂    + 2e^-  →   O^2-

Magnesium cation and oxygen anion combine to form magnesium oxide.

Mg²⁺         +  O^2-    →  MgO   

In this reaction, magnesium loses electrons and gets oxidized and oxygen receives electrons and gets reduced, so oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously that’s why it is a redox reaction.

Hope after reading this topic what happens when magnesium is burnt in air?, you must have understood the reaction.

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Related Topics

 1. Chemical Reactions

FAQs

   1.  Is magnesium being oxidized or reduced in this reaction?

Ans – In this reaction, magnesium is oxidized because it combines with oxygen.

  

   2.  What is redox reaction class 10?

Ans – The reaction in which oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously. One substance gets oxidized and the other gets reduced. this is called a redox reaction.

   

   3.  What kind of reaction ‘burning of magnesium ribbon’?

Ans – ‘Burning of magnesium’ is a combination, of exothermic and redox reactions.