Determination Of An Empirical Formula Henry Lee Brewington II September 23, 2011

Claflin University Chemistry Department Judith Kirkley Chem. 111 Lab

Abstract
The goal is to determine the empirical (simplest) formula of magnesium oxide by using the process of heating and cooling.

Introduction
In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical of a chemical compound is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each elements presents in compound. An empirical formula makes no reference to isomerism, structure, or absolute number of atoms. Magnesium is a moderately reactive metal. It can easily be oxidized to magnesium oxide by heating in air. At room temperature it will slowly react and at higher temperatures it will burn with a bright white flame.

Experimental Procedures
Wear safety goggles for safety and do not look directly at the burning magnesium. Be careful with the hot crucible and equipment, it will burn also. First record the mass of the crucible and cover separately by using the electronic balance. Put 1-2 grams of magnesium turnings in the crucible and record the mass combined with both. Then use the Bunsen burner to heat the crucible plus magnesium without the cover and wait ten minutes. When the evidence of the burning occurs, put the lid over the crucible and keep heating for another ten minutes. After that let the crucible cool for ten minutes and record the mass. Break up the magnesium with the glass rod and carefully rinse the glass rod with ten drops of matters so it can fall into the crucible. Heat the crucible under a hot flame for five minutes, then let it cool off and record the mass. Last and finally heat the crucible under a hot flame for five minutes. Let it cool and record the mass. Repeat steps 1-6 again for trial.

Conclusion
The magnesium didnt have much reaction like it should but other classmates magnesium did. When it was taken off the burner to cool off, it was still glowing and it had a stink smell to it. The data was found by the following steps and calculations. The empirical formula of magnesium oxide was found to be MgO. This experiment was taught to be careful and do things the proper way so there wouldnt be any accidents.

References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Basic Concepts of Chemistry ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Experiments in General Chemistry "What is Chemistry?". Chemweb.ucc.ie. http://chemweb.ucc.ie/what_is_chemistry.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-12. Chemistry. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved August 19, 2007. Theodore L. Brown, H. Eugene Lemay, Bruce Edward Bursten, H. Lemay. Chemistry: The Central Science. Prentice Hall; 8 edition (1999). ISBN 0-13-010310-1. Pages 3-4. Chemistry is seen as occupying an intermediate position in a hierarchy of the sciences by "reductive level" between physics and biology. See Carsten Reinhardt. Chemical Sciences in the 20th Century: Bridging Boundaries. Wiley-VCH, 2001. ISBN 3-527-30271-9. Pages 1-2. Is chemistry a branch of physics? a paper by Mario Bunge

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Data Sheet
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Mass of crucible and cover (step 2) Mass of crucible, cover and Mg (step 3) Mass of crucible, cover and crude product (step 4) Mass of crucible, cover and purer product (step 5) Mass of crucible, cover, and purest product (step 6) Trail 1 9.54(crucible) 7.94(cover) 9.54+7.94+1.03=18.51 10.61(crucible) 7.94(cover) 10.62 10.63 Trail 2 19.96g 21.25g 21.38g 21.84g 21.86g

Calculations Trail 1 18.51-17.48= 1.03 18.55-17.48= 1.07 17.48-10.62= 6.86 17.48-10.63= 6.85 1.031.07100= 96.3% Trail 2 1.29g 1.42g 1.88g 1.90g 90.85g

A. Mass of Mg (subtract 1 from 2) B. Mass of crude product (subtract 1 from 3) C. Mass of purest product (subtract 1 from 4) D. Mass of purest product (subtract 1 from 5) E. Percent Mg in crude product (divide A by B and multiply by 100)

Average Trail 1 1.036.86100= 15.02% Trail 2 68.1

6.

7.

8. 9.

Percent Mg in purer product (divide A by C and multiply by 100) Percent Mg in purest product(divide A by D and multiply by 100) Percent Mg in MgN Percent Mg in Mg0

1.036.85100= 15.04%

67.89

Mg=243=72 N=142=28(72+28) =100 (72100100=72%) Mg=243=72 0=161=16 (72+16) = 138 (72138100=52.2%) Mg3N2

Mg = 72%, N = 28%

Mg = 60%, O = 40% Mg3N2

10. Which compound best fit the purest product?