Chemistry Magnesium Oxide Pre-Lab Study Guide 2-5-13

*Use the above website to answer the following questions regarding our next lab. Submit them to Moodle when you are finished.

  1. What was Antoine LaVoisier’s main contribution to chemistry?
  2. What did LaVoisier observe with regard to combustion of chemicals?
  3. How did LaVoisier summarize these conclusions?
  4. State the Law of Conservation of Matter.
  5. What will our objective be in this next experiment?
  6. What 2 big idea questions will we be answering in this lab?
  7. Specifically how will this lab use the law of conservation of mass?
  8. What is meant by the molecular formula of a substance?
  9. What is meant by the empirical formula of a substance?
  10. Give 2 examples of the difference between an empirical and molecular formula.
  11. How will we determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide?
  12. Give the skeleton equation for this reaction.
  13. What 2 pieces of data will we be recording in this reaction?
  14. What 2 questions will still remain from this data?

**skip the Bunsen burner explanation…..you all know how to light and use a Bunsen burner right? Yeah right!! Big Liars!! 

PROCEDURE

  1. Why is it not necessary to remove ALL debris from the crucible and lid?
  2. What 5 techniques will we practice BEFORE we start this experiment?
  3. Why is it necessary to practice these techniques?
  4. Explain what is meant by “firing” the crucible and why it is necessary.
  5. Explain how you will fire the crucible.
  6. How much magnesium will we use and how will we clean it?
  7. What will we do with the magnesium to make it fit in the crucible?
  8. How best should it be arranged in the crucible for burning?
  9. What does it mean for the crucible lid to be ajar and why is it necessary?
  10. How long should you heat the bottom of the crucible?
  11. What should you do when you see the magnesium flash?
  12. What should you do after the flash?
  13. What happens if white smoke appears?
  14. What is this white smoke?
  15. What should you do once the smoke no longer appears?
  16. How long should you repeat this process?
  17. How long should you cool the crucible when you are done?
  18. Give the skeleton equations of the 2 reactions taking place during this experiment.
  19. What will we do to convert any magnesium nitride produced into magnesium oxide?
  20. What do we do once the crucible has cooled for 15 mins?
  21. What could happen if the crucible is not completely cooled? Will Mr. McLeod be happy about this?
  22. What gas could be produced from adding water to the magnesium nitride? Is this breathable?
  23. What do we do once we get the water in the crucible?
  24. What do we do once the crucible has completely cooled again?