Science - Chemical Reactions

Chemical Reactions Experiments

1. Magnesium reacting with oxygen...

Method:

Hold a strip of magnesium metal in the hottest part of a Bunsen burner flame until it catches fire.

Do not look directly at the reaction because it will shine very brightly, and you could damage your eyes.

Observations:

The magnesium metal was
small, silver, and shiny.

The magnesium burned
with a bright, white glow.

After it burned, the magnesium
turned to a white powdery consistency.

The word equation is: Magnesium + Oxygen ---> Magnesium Oxide.

The balanced chemical equation is: Mg2- + O2-  --->  2MgO.

2. Iron filings reacting with sulphur...

Method:

Mix equal amounts of iron filings and sulphur, then use a magnet wrapped in paper to separate them.

Mix them again and add the mixture to a test tube and heat strongly.

Observations:

The sulphur was a powder, with a mustard colour.
The iron filings were metallic, dark grey, and spiky.

Using the magnet.

The mixture burned
a bright red.

The mixture is now iron sulfate.
It is clumpy and a dark grey colour.

The word equation for the reaction is: Iron + Sulphur ---> Iron Sulfate.

The balanced chemical equation is: Fe2+ + Sulphur2-  -->  FeS.