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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 11:06:25 AM

Title: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 11:06:25 AM
"After combusting 1,321 g of metallic magnesium, 2,107 g of solid was formed. What was the mass percentage of magnesium nitride in the product mixture? Submit your response in mass percents with one decimal, without typing the unit."

I really am confused of all that is being asked, sorry.

Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: AWK on September 27, 2020, 11:41:16 AM
When you burn magnesium in the air, not only magnesium oxide is formed, but also magnesium nitride, and you get a mixture of both. If only magnesium oxide was formed, its weight would be 2.19 g.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: chenbeier on September 27, 2020, 11:42:42 AM
First of all, you should do some work by yourself.

1. Which elements (gases) mainly in the air?
2. What reaction take place if you burn something?
3. In the case of Magnesium which products are formed, develop the equation for that.
4. Develop a combinded equation containing x and y of the elements.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: Corribus on September 27, 2020, 11:46:53 AM
When you burn magnesium in the air, not only magnesium oxide is formed, but also magnesium nitride, and you get a mixture of both.
Do you (https://uwaterloo.ca/chem13-news-magazine/march-2012/chemistry/magnesium-nitride-formed-combustion-magnesium)?

Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 11:51:49 AM
First of all, you should do some work by yourself.

1. Which elements (gases) mainly in the air?
2. What reaction take place if you burn something?
3. In the case of Magnesium which products are formed, develop the equation for that.
4. Develop a combinded equation containing x and y of the elements.

I mean, I understand that I am burning Mg and that I have N and O also reacting there. On the other side I have Mg3N2 and MnO as the outcomes. But my calculations about the weight make no sense. Thank you for replying, though.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: AWK on September 27, 2020, 11:56:07 AM
When you burn magnesium in the air, not only magnesium oxide is formed, but also magnesium nitride, and you get a mixture of both.
Do you (https://uwaterloo.ca/chem13-news-magazine/march-2012/chemistry/magnesium-nitride-formed-combustion-magnesium)?
True, but it is not found in general chemistry textbooks. .
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: AWK on September 27, 2020, 11:57:30 AM
First of all, you should do some work by yourself.

1. Which elements (gases) mainly in the air?
2. What reaction take place if you burn something?
3. In the case of Magnesium which products are formed, develop the equation for that.
4. Develop a combinded equation containing x and y of the elements.

I mean, I understand that I am burning Mg and that I have N and O also reacting there. On the other side I have Mg3N2 and MnO as the outcomes. But my calculations about the weight make no sense. Thank you for replying, though.
You need two equations for masses and moles.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: chenbeier on September 27, 2020, 12:03:02 PM
When you burn magnesium in the air, not only magnesium oxide is formed, but also magnesium nitride, and you get a mixture of both.
Do you (https://uwaterloo.ca/chem13-news-magazine/march-2012/chemistry/magnesium-nitride-formed-combustion-magnesium)?

I did some years ago and the product given to water had a slight smell of ammonia.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 12:04:41 PM
First of all, you should do some work by yourself.

1. Which elements (gases) mainly in the air?
2. What reaction take place if you burn something?
3. In the case of Magnesium which products are formed, develop the equation for that.
4. Develop a combinded equation containing x and y of the elements.

I mean, I understand that I am burning Mg and that I have N and O also reacting there. On the other side I have Mg3N2 and MnO as the outcomes. But my calculations about the weight make no sense. Thank you for replying, though.
You need two equations for masses and moles.

Could you elaborate?

I don't know how to form the correct equation to get the Mg3N2 and MgO. Like:

5 Mg + O2 + N2 = 2 MgO + Mg3N2?

(Look guys, I decided to take chem as my minor in university, while marketing is my major. My last chem studies were in 2008, in high school. So my knowledge is what it is. It's been only three weeks now.)
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: AWK on September 27, 2020, 12:09:10 PM
Write down separate reactions for oxide and nitride.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 12:12:03 PM
2 Mg + 02 = 2 MgO or is it just Mg + O = MgO?

3Mg + N2 = Mg3N2

Then what?
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: AWK on September 27, 2020, 12:23:08 PM
Divide the magnesium into two parts: the one in the oxide and that in the nitride (I prefer moles). Then set the second equation for the mass of the mixture.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: finndingnemo on September 27, 2020, 12:32:26 PM
Ah, I give up, it's only one question in the set. But thanks for taking the time, I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Combusting metallic magnesium
Post by: Borek on September 27, 2020, 01:22:38 PM
Assume x grams of Mg reacted with oxygen, and y grams of Mg reacted with nitrogen.

x+y=1.321g - this one is obvious, isn't it?

Can you express mass of the combined product mixture using x, y?

That will yield two equations in two unknowns, easy to solve.