Question

Give four reasons to why the burning of magnesium ribbon in air is considered a chemical change.

Answer 1

Hint: Chemical reaction is any type of observable or non-observable change which leads to a reversible or irreversible change in the intermolecular structure of a compound and results in the formation of a new substance.

Complete step by step answer:
 So let’s start our discussion with the question: what is a chemical reaction?
Well, any type of observable or non-observable changes which leads to a reversible or irreversible change in the intermolecular structure of a compound and results in the formation of a new substance.
So by going this definition we can evaluate the following given reaction:
\[2Mg\left( s \right){\text{ }} + {\text{ }}{O_2}\left( g \right){\text{ }} \to 2MgO\left( s \right){\text{ }} + {\text{ }}energy\]
1.Formation of a new compound
As we can see the initial compound Mg gets converted into a new compound with a different chemical structure which is MgO.
2.It is irreversible
The conversion of magnesium into magnesium oxide is an irreversible reaction as in any situation we will not be able to convert it back into magnesium.
3.Energy is involved
As we can see after the reaction we also get some of the extra energy which is in the form of light, heat, and smoke thus making this reaction an exothermic reaction.
4.Change in appearance
After the reaction took place we found out that there is a change in the physical appearance of the product that is it gets converted from a solid and intact piece to a smoky white powder.
These reasons are sufficient to say that the burning of magnesium ribbon in the air is a chemical change.

Note:
We can use magnesium ribbon in many places and one of its most basic uses is in the demonstration experiment in which the ribbon is burned to show the release of energy. We can also use it in magnesium lamps and also some typical Grignard reactions use magnesium ribbon.