Describe the process that was used in this lab to create magnesium oxide, specifically identifying the type of chemical reaction. explain why the product had a higher mass than the reactant, and how this relates to conservation of matter.

Answer & Explanation:

1. The process that was used in the lab to create MgO:

Mg is weighed in a crucible and then heated in air that reacts strongly with O₂ to give MgO according to the equation:

Mg + 1/2O₂ → MgO

and this is confirmed by the increase in mass of Mg in the crucible.

2. The type of the chemical reaction:

It is considered as an oxidation reaction, thus the magnesium gain O and oxidized to MgO.

3. The reason that the product had a higher mass than the reactant:

Because the reactant (Mg) bonded to O and forms MgO, so the product had a higher mass due to the gain of O atom over the reactant Mg.

4. The relation to the conversation of matter:

The law of conversation of matter states that the matter goes not destroyed or created from nothing but it can converted from one form to other.Herein Mg and O₂ converted from their atom state to MgO fixing the presence of matter and also the conversation of mass.If we have 1.0 mole of Mg will react with 0.5 mole of O₂ to produce 1.0 mole of MgO.

The mass of Mg  = n x molar mass of Mg = (1.0 mole) (24.30 g/mol) = 24.3 g.

The mass of O₂ =  n x molar mass of O₂ = (0.5 mole) (32.00 g/mole) = 16.0 g.

The mass of MgO  = n x molar mass of MgO = (1.0 mole) (40.30 g/mol) = 40.3 g/mol.

The mass of the reactants = The mass of Mg + The mass of O₂ = 24.3 g + 16.0 g = 40.3 g.The mass of the products = The mass of MgO = 40.3 g.

∴ The mass of the reactants = The mass of the products.

So, there is  a conversation of matter and mass.