Finding the Empirical Formula for Magnesium Oxide

Finding the Empirical Formula for Magnesium Oxide

The Results

In order to work out the ratio for magnesium and oxygen, I will have

to calculate the amount of magnesium and oxygen used.

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From these results, and knowing that the Ar for Magnesium is 24, and

the Ar for Oxygen is 16, I can find the number of moles for Magnesium

and Oxygen.

Investigation 1:

Magnesium = 36.08 - 36.04

= 0.04g

Oxygen = 36.11 - 36.08

= 0.03g

Magnesium Ar = 24 Oxygen Ar = 16

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Investigation 2:

Magnesium = 36.10 - 36.03

= 0.07g

Oxygen = 36.14 - 36.10

= 0.04g

Magnesium Ar = 24 Oxygen Ar = 16

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Formula:

Magnesium 42 : 36 Oxygen [ -- 3

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Magnesium 14 : 12 Oxygen [ -- 2

Magnesium 7: 6 Oxygen

= Mg 0

To ensure that my final answer was as accurate as possible, I did not

round any numbers until the end to get the most accurate final

equation. Likewise for test 1, 3, and the average.

Investigation 3:

Magnesium = 36.10 - 36.03

= 0.07g

Oxygen = 36.19 - 36.12

= 0.07g

Magnesium Ar = 24 Oxygen Ar = 16

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Moles:

Magnesium. Mass Oxygen. Mass

Ar Ar

= 0.07 = 0.07

24 16

= 0.002916 = 0.004375

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To ensure that my final answer was as accurate as possible, I did not

round any decimals off until the end to maintain accuracy throughout

the calculation.

Average of Investigation 1, 2, and 3

Magnesium mean = (0.04 + 0.07 + 0.07)

3

= 0.06g

Oxygen mean = (0.03 + 0.04 + 0.07)

3

= 0.047 (2 s.f.)

Magnesium Ar = 24 Oxygen Ar = 16