BRAINCAKEMagnesium and Steam
Magnesium reacts with steam to form magnesium oxide: Mg (s) + H2O (g) → MgO (s) + H2 (g)
The hydrogen is burned as it forms for safety as it is highly flammable.
With steam the reaction is much faster than with cold water. Heated magnesium ribbon burns with a bright white flame and a white powder of magnesium oxide is left behind.
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Key terms in this lesson
- reducing agent
- A substance that donates electrons to another species, causing it to be reduced, while it is itself oxidised.
- redox reaction
- A reaction in which oxidation and reduction happen together, with electrons transferred between the species involved.
More in Group 2
- Trend in Reactivity
- Reactions with Oxygen
- Reactions with Chlorine
- Reactions with Water
- Reactions of Oxides with Water
- Trends in Solubility of the Hydroxides
- Uses of the Hydroxides
- Reactions of the Oxides and Hydroxides with Acids
All 16 lessons in Group 2 · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics