Question

When magnesium burns in air, a white flaky ash of magnesium oxide is produced. Is the mass of magnesium oxide greater than, less than, or the same as the original piece of magnesium?

Answer 1

Answer:

the mass of magnesium oxide will be less than the orginal peice of magnesium

Explanation:

because the magnesium burns to ashes in the presense of air

Answer 2

Answer: The mass of magnesium oxide is greater than the mass of original piece of magnesium.

Explanation:

When magnesium burns in air to form a white flaky ash of magnesium oxide, it is undergoing a combination reaction.

A combination reaction is defined as the chemical reaction in which two lighter substances combine to form a single larger substance.

$A+B\rightarrow AB$

The chemical equation for the formation of magnesium oxide follows:

$2Mg+O_2\rightarrow 2MgO$

Hence, the mass of magnesium oxide is greater than the mass of original piece of magnesium.