Question

During a lab experiment, 48.62 grams of magnesium reacted with 32.00 grams of oxygen to produce magnesium oxide. What is the empirical formula for magnesium oxide? (atomic masses: Mg = 24.31 and O = 15.99)

MgO
Mg2O2
MgO2
Mg2O

Answer 1

To find the empirical formula for magnesium oxide, we need to determine the ratio of magnesium to oxygen in the compound.

First, we can find the moles of magnesium and oxygen in the reaction:

moles of Mg = mass/molar mass = 48.62 g / 24.31 g/mol = 2.00 mol

moles of O = mass/molar mass = 32.00 g / 15.99 g/mol = 2.00 mol

The ratio of magnesium to oxygen in the compound is 1:1, which means the empirical formula is MgO. Therefore, the correct answer is:

MgO