Chemistry Unit 3

Introductory Practical Review Activity

Magnesium: A Magnificent Element
Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________
Students should effectively progress towards competence in the following skills;
1. Follow instructions safely and efficiently.
2. Synthesise compounds from elements and perform chemical reactions.
3. Record accurate observations of chemical reactions.
4. Write chemical equations and calculations.
5. Manipulate calculations involving masses and moles.
6. Use scientific notation and significant figures.
7. Recognise the concept of reactions going to completion and reversible reactions.
8. Recognise both open and closed chemical systems.
9. Recognise the concept of Limiting Reagents.
10. Draw and interpret potential energy diagrams for exothermic and endothermic processes showing the transition state,
activation energy and heat of reaction.
11. Recognise a redox reaction and use the standard reduction potential (E) table to predict whether a reaction will
occur.
12. Recognise organic chemicals and biological molecules.

Magnesium: A Magnificent Element

Collect a 25cm strip of magnesium.
Follow the instructions and tick off the numbers on the checklist below as you complete each activity.
Introduction and observations
1. Record observations of the physical appearance of magnesium ribbon.

2. Use steel wool to remove the impervious coating and then describe the change.

3. Use the electronic balance to find and record the mass, to the appropriate number of significant
figures, of the cleaned strip of magnesium.
mass (Mg) = _____________________________
4. Oxygen is a reactive gas in the atmosphere. Use the Periodic Table to:
a. Explain why oxygen is classified as a non-metal.

b. Calculate and record the molar mass (M) of oxygen gas.

c. Find and record the density of oxygen gas at STP and the units.
d. Convert this value to scientific notation to the appropriate number of significant figures.

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5. Use the Periodic Table to;

a. Explain why magnesium is classified as a metal.

b. Find and record the molar mass (M) and the units of the element magnesium.
M (Mg) =______________________
c. Find and record the density of magnesium at STP and the units.

d. Calculate the volume of the magnesium strip at STP.

6. Write a balanced chemical equation, using subscripts, to describe the reaction between oxygen
and magnesium.
a. Label each species as one of either atoms, ions or molecules.
b. Record the oxidation number of each species.

c. Explain what these values mean in terms of electron transfer.

d. Write half equations to show this process of electron transfer.

e. Identify which elements have been oxidised and which have been reduced.

7. Use the Standard Reduction Potential Table to find and record the half equation for magnesium
and its reduction potential value (E0) and units.

8. Discuss how this informs us of the reactivity of magnesium metal.

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Reaction 1: Redox Reaction by heating magnesium in air

9. Loosely coil the magnesium ribbon and fit it inside a crucible.
10. Find and record the mass of the crucible and lid.
mass of the crucible, lid = ___________
mass (Mg) = ______________________

11. Set up a protective mat, Bunsen burner,

tripod, pipe-clay triangle, crucible and lid.
Have a pair of crucible tongs and matches
ready and wear a pair of safety goggles.
12. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a scientific
diagram of the arrangement.
13. Light the Bunsen burner and heat the
magnesium. Lift the lid with the tongs to
allow oxygen to react with the magnesium.
Continue until there is no evidence of
magnesium remaining.
Take care not to look at the bright light
emitted.
Allow the crucible to cool.

13.

Write the chemical equation for this reaction.

14. Sketch a potential energy diagram for this reaction showing the transition state, activation
energy and heat of reaction. State whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

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15. Use the relationship n = m/M and the mole ratios from the balanced equation to calculate;
a. the number of moles of magnesium consumed. Record the answer in scientific notation
with the appropriate number of significant figures.

b. Calculate the predicted mass of MgO produced. Record in scientific notation with
appropriate significant figures.

16. Find and record the mass of the crucible, lid and magnesium oxide.
mass crucible, lid and magnesium oxide = ___________________________

17. Calculate and record the mass of magnesium oxide present.

mass of MgO = ________________________________________________

18. Compare the actual value to the predicted, stoichiometric value and explain any differences.

19. Calculate the number of moles of MgO that is present in your sample.

20. a. Explain whether this reaction has gone to completion or whether it could easily be reversed.
What would have to be done to the energy to reverse this reaction?

b. Explain whether this reaction is an open or a closed chemical system.

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Reaction 2: Acid/Base reaction of magnesium oxide and hydrochloric acid

21. Use 20mL of distilled water and a stirring rod to clean out the crucible and transfer the mixture
to a clean test tube.
22. Use observation and the data sheet to comment on the solubility of MgO.

23. Assuming that MgO were completely soluble, calculate the concentration in molL-1 using
scientific notation and the appropriate number of significant figures.

24. Use a pH probe to find the pH of the MgO solution and record it in the table below.
25. Add 2M HCl, 1mL at a time until the pH = 7.
Record observations and the pH after each mL of added HCl.
Observations:

26. In the table below record the change in pH after the addition of each mL of HCl.
volume
HCl added
(mL)

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

pH
27. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.

28. Write an ionic equation showing only the reacting species and new products.

29. Decant about a quarter of the volume of the solution onto a large clock glass and set aside to
evaporate.
30. Predict what may be observed after a few
days.

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31. Record your observations after a few days

22

32. Continue adding the HCl, 1mL at a time and recording the pH until there is no change in pH.
33. Plot the data from the table above onto a suitable graph.
a. Identify three distinct regions on the graph and describe what is happening to the pH in
the regions.

34. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid. This means that hydrogen chloride molecules are completely
ionised in solution.
a. Draw a model of how HCl molecules could be ionised by water.

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35. Write a balanced chemical to demonstrate the meaning of this statement.

36. Read the label and state the concentration of the hydrochloric acid.

37. This is a clue to the hydrogen ion concentration. State the hydrogen ion concentration [H+] of
the hydrochloric acid in the bottle.

38. We can calculate the pH of a solution knowing the hydrogen ion concentration. The relationship
is:
pH = -log10 [H+]
Calculate the pH of the hydrochloric acid in the bottle.

39. a. Suggest with reasons whether this reaction has gone to completion or whether it could
easily be reversed. Describe what could be done to reverse this reaction.

b. Suggest with reasons whether this reaction is an open or a closed chemical system.

Further Research
40. Scientists claim they can isolate magnesium metal from seawater, containing magnesium ions.
Evaluate this claim.

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41. Magnesium ions are important in some organic molecules too.

a) Name the green pigment found in green leaves.
_________________________________________________
b) To the right is an image of the chemical structure of this
molecule. List the five chemical atoms that bond to make this
molecule.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
c) Name the plant cell organelle that holds these molecules.
_________________________________________________
d) Identify the colour of the electromagnetic spectrum that this
molecule reflects.
_________________________________________________
e) Identify the colours of the electromagnetic spectrum that this
molecule absorbs.
________________________________________________
f)

This molecule acts as an enzyme in the process of photosynthesis. Write the overall balanced
chemical equation for photosynthesis.
____________________________________________________________________________

g) An enzyme is a biological catalyst. Explain the significance of the action of enzymes and
catalysts.

The energy of light, with the chemicals carbon dioxide and water, and the action of the enzyme
_________________________ make the fundamental molecule _________________ which is the
basis of life on earth.

Chemistry is the study of the interplay between particles and energy.

We hope that you enjoy developing your skills in this Chemistry Course.
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