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.

Download the practical instructions as a powerpoint, and the student worksheet.

Downloads

Download all

Additional information

This resource was written by Catherine Smith.