Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air

Magnesium is one of the most common element found in the Earth's crust. In its raw form it burns in air, it is due to its property of burning brilliantly and giving out a white light that it is used in fireworks. Magnesium combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form magnesium oxide, thus changing the initial identity of Magnesium. A chemical reaction has taken place, this can be determined because there has been a change in colour, may be temperature to some extend and change in its properties. If we want to burn a magnesium ribbon, (while performing an experiment to prove that magnesium on burning combines with oxygen and magnesium oxide is formed) it has to be cleaned with fine sandpaper or steel wool this will remove all the oxide coating which may have been deposited on the ribbon. The ribbon if coated with oxide, will not facilitate burning easily and one will not get desired results from the experiment. Thoroughly clean the magnesium ribbon, free it from oxide deposits and thereafter burn, a dazzling bright flame will be seen. A chemical reaction takes place whereby the magnesium combines with the oxygen present in the air and gets converted into magnesium oxide and what remains is a white powder. To remove the "dirty" oxide layer which slows down the burning reaction. It is a bit like removing the rust (oxide layer) off iron before reacting iron with something. Most metals, like iron and magnesium, form an oxide with exposure to air, and we call this tarnishing, ...

Why should magnesium ribbon is cleaned before burning in air? Hint: Magnesium is a very reactive metal. When it is kept in the open air it can react with the gases present in the air. Cleaning will remove those impurities formed due to the reaction with air. – This high reactive nature of magnesium is the reason why magnesium ribbons should be cleaned before using it. Why is the magnesium ribbon cleaned by rubbing? Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned by rubbing with sandpaper. This is done to remove the protective layer of basic magnesium carbonate from the surface of the ribbon. What is the purpose of cleaning the magnesium ribbon with steel wool? If we want to burn a magnesium ribbon in an experiment, it has to be first cleaned with fine sandpaper or steel wool to remove all the oxide coating which may have been deposited on the ribbon by the reaction of magnesium with atmospheric oxygen. READ ALSO: Are there Japanese tongue twisters? Why magnesium ribbon should rubbed with sandpaper before its burning? When exposed to air many metals will slowly react with oxygen in the atmosphere to form metal oxides. With magnesium, the oxide layer forms a white coating on the outer metal surface that will slow down or interfere with the burning process. The ribbons should be rubbed with a fine sandpaper to remove the layer. What is the purpose of rubbing the magnesium ribbon with a sand paper before using it? Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned b...

Aim To carry out the Burning of magnesium ribbon in air and classify it as physical or chemical changes Theory Physical Change: These changes can be observed and take place without changing the composition of substances. There are no changes in chemical nature of substance. The changes which can be observed are like change in colour, boiling point, melting point, hardness, density, fluidity, rigidity etc. The interconversion of states of matter is also a physical change. Chemical change: In this change, chemical reaction takes place and completely a new substance with different properties is formed. There are changes in chemical properties and composition of substance. ex: 2Mg(s) + O 2(g) → 2MgO(s) Here, the chemical composition and properties of product MgO is totally different from its reactants Mg and O. Materials Required Red Litmus Paper, Magnesium Ribbon Apparatus required China Dish or Watch Glass, Sand Paper, Tongs, Bunsen Burner, Match Box Procedure Step 1: A piece of magnesium ribbon is taken and rubbed with sand paper to remove dust from its surface. Step 2: Magnesium ribbon is hold with the help of a pair of tongs over the watch glass or china dish. Step 3: Burning of magnesium ribbon over Bunsen burner is observed and ash is collected in watch glass or china dish. Step 4: Moist red litmus paper is brought in contact with the white ash collected in watch glass. Observation Table Sl. No. Experiment Observation Inference 1. Magnesium ribbon is rubbed with sand pa...