Determining relative atomic weights

Source: © Shutterstock

Heat a known mass of two metals to produce their oxides and determine their relative atomic masses.

Metals react in oxygen to form metal oxides:

metal + oxygen → metal oxide

In this experiment you will heat a known mass of two metals; magnesium ribbon and copper powder and determine the mass of each metal oxide produced. A comparison of the mass of the metal heated to the mass of metal oxide produced will allow the relative atomic mass of magnesium and copper to be determined.

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.