How many liters of oxygen will it take to burn 48g of magnesium?

Magnesium is oxidized very intensively by oxygen. This reaction is described by the following equation:

Mg + ½ O2 = MgO;

During oxidation, one oxygen atom is attached to the magnesium atom. In this case, one molecule of magnesium oxide is synthesized.

Let’s determine the chemical (molar) amount of magnesium.

To do this, divide the available weight of magnesium by the weight of 1 mole of this substance.

M Mg = 24 grams / mol; N Mg = 48/24 = 2 mol;

To burn such an amount of magnesium, 2 times less molar amount of oxygen is required.

Let’s calculate the volume of oxygen. To do this, multiply the volume of gas by the volume of 1 mole, equal to 22.4 liters.

V O2 = 2/2 x 22.4 = 22.4 liters;