Question

The white powder formed when magnesium ribbon burns in oxygen is of ______.

Answer 1

The white powder formed when magnesium ribbon burns in oxygen is of magnesium oxide.

Explanation:

When magnesium ribbon burns in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes a highly exothermic combination reaction, emitting a dazzling white flame. The magnesium atoms transfer electrons to oxygen atoms, forming ionic bonds that result in a brittle white powder. The balanced chemical equation representing this oxidation process is:

\[\ce{2Mg_{(s)} + O2_{(g)} -> 2MgO_{(s)}}\]