In: Chemistry
8. The Law of Definite Proportions can also be verified using a synthesis reaction. When heated, magnesium reacts with oxygen from the air to form magnesium oxide. What is the percentage of magnesium in MgO?
The Law of Definite Proportions states that any given chemical compound will always contain a fixed ratio of its elements by mass irrespective of its source.
The composition of the compound MgO is that of one atom of Mg and one atom of O. Whichever way MgO is made, one molecule of MgO will always contain one atom of Mg and one atom of oxygen. If we calculate the molecular weight of MgO welcome up with 40 g/mol as:
1 atom of Mg = 24 g/mol x 1= 24 g/mol
1 atom of O = 16 g/mol x 1 = 16 g/mol
molecular wt. of MgO = 40 g/mol
Therefore,
Mass % of Mg in MgO = (24/40) x 100% = 60%
Mass % of O in MgO = (16/40) x 100% = 40%
Thus mass percentage of magnesium in MgO is 60%.