Question

When magnesium ribbon is burnt in air, an ash of white colour is produced. Write chemical equation for the reaction giving the chemical name of the ash produced. State the type of chemical reaction giving justification for your answer.

Answer 1

When magnesium ribbon is heated in air, it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. The chemical equation for the reaction is:
\[2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO\]
The white ash produced is magnesium oxide (\(MgO\)).
The type of chemical reaction is a combustion reaction. In a combustion reaction, a substance reacts with oxygen to produce a new compound, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. In this case, magnesium reacts with oxygen from the air to produce magnesium oxide.