Burning of Magnesium Ribbon
During our science activity on Burning of Magnesium Ribbon, students explored how a metal reacts with oxygen and forms a completely new substance. The materials used for the activity included a strip of magnesium ribbon, sandpaper, a pair of tongs, a candle, a watch glass, water, and red and blue litmus papers. Before the burning process began, the students first examined the magnesium ribbon and noticed that its surface looked dull. They learned that this was due to a thin oxide layer formed when magnesium reacts slowly with air over time. To remove this coating, the students used sandpaper to gently clean the ribbon until it appeared shiny again, ensuring that the pure metal was exposed for a proper reaction. Holding the ribbon with tongs for safety, they brought it close to the flame of the spirit lamp. The moment it touched the flame, the magnesium ignited and burned with an intensely bright white light, which fascinated the students and helped them clearly understand that a chemical reaction was taking place. After the ribbon had completely burned, a white powdery substance was left behind on the watch glass. Students collected this ash—magnesium oxide—and added a small amount of water to it. This mixture formed magnesium hydroxide, which is only slightly soluble in water. The students then tested the solution with litmus papers. They observed that while blue litmus remained unchanged, the red litmus paper turned blue, indicating that the product formed was basic in nature. Through this hands-on experience, students not only understood the concept of chemical change but also learned how to test the nature of substances using indicators. The activity helped them connect theory with real observation, making the learning process engaging and memorable.
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Chemical equations
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Burning (oxidation):
2 Mg + O₂ → 2 MgO -
Reaction with water:
MgO + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂
