Science is for Kids

This video summarizes an experiment performed to experimentally determine the formula ulnits of magnesium chloride. In the lab the mass of a small sample of magnesium ribbon is measured. The metal is then placed into a beaker and concentrated HCl is added. When the reaction is complete the beaker is heated to drive off water and any unreacted HCl. Safety Note: This should be done in a fume hood to avoid breathing in any HCl fumes! After all the liquid has been removed from the beaker a precipitate of magnesium chloride is left behind. The mass of this compound is measured and compared to the original amount of magnesium to determine the added mass of chlorine. The data collected allows students to calculate the formula units of the magnesium chloride salt. The reaction is summarized by the following chemical equation. 2Mg  +  HCl  → MgCl 2 + H 2 The compound forms with a 1:2 ratio of magnesium to chlorine. This is because magnesium has two valen...

This video summarizes an experiment performed to experimentally determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide. In the lab the mass of a small sample of magnesium ribbon is measured. The metal is then heated in a crucible using a Bunsen burner to speed up the process of oxidation. The reaction forms the product magnesium oxide. The mass of this compound is measured and compared to the original amount of magnesium to determine the added mass of oxygen. The data collected allows students to calculate the empirical formula of the magnesium oxide compound. The reaction is summarized by the following chemical equation. 2Mg  +  O 2  →  2MgO The compound forms with a 1:1 ratio of magnesium to oxygen. This is because magnesium has two valence electrons which are donated to the oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms can add two electrons to complete their valence shell. I hope this was helpful.

HS-PS1-2:   Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties. HS-PS1-2 Evidence Statements Video example of a chemical reaction. The video shows the combustion of magnesium metal.   2Mg  +  O 2  →  2MgO When magnesium and oxygen react they form an ionic compound. This is due to the fact that magnesium is a metallic element and oxygen is nonmetallic.

HS-PS1-2:   Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties. This video covers important trends of the periodic table.  Topics include; reactivity, ionization energy, successive ionization energy, atomic radius, ionic radius, electron affinity, and electronegativity.

HS-PS1-7:   Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass,  are conserved during a chemical reaction. PS1-7 Evidence Statements The video below discusses the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide and uses a balanced chemical equation and structural formulas to explain why the number of atoms is conserved in a chemical reaction. An experiment to help teach the concept of conservation of mass can be found here .