ATOMIC WEIGHT OF MAGNESIUM

Introduction

The purpose of this lab is to determine the atomic weight of magnesium after it is consumed by
hydrochloric acid (HCl). In order to measure the atomic weight we need to measure the amount
of the hydrogen gas that was evolved in reaction to the acid of the magnesium.

Summary

To measure the atomic weight of magnesium after it has been consumed, the magnesium has to
be mixed with HCl. Once it is consumed it will produce hydrogen (H2) gas, which will be
trapped and measured. So in other words the atomic weight of Magnesium will result from
separating the hydrogen gas from the acid in the Magnesium. Under normal circumstances, mole
of hydrogen gas will be produced for every mole of Magnesium consumed (moles of H2evolved
= moles of Mg consumed).

Findings

The important finding for this experiment is that there is a chemical reaction between HCL and
magnesium. As a result of that reaction, hydrogen gas being evolved.

Procedure

In this procedure we will do the following:

Step 1. Obtain a 600 ml beaker, add 300 ml of water.

Step 2. Add 30 ml of HCl (2M) to beaker and stir.

Step 3. Add 10 mg of Magnesium metal to the beaker.

Step 4. Allow hydrogen gas to evolve, all of the magnesium should be consumed.

Step 5. Record the amount of hydrogen gas evolved using the chemical property dialog.
Observations

Moles of hydrogen evolved, from chemical property dialog for beaker: 0.000411 mol
Atomic weight of Mg = 24.331 grams
Atomic weight of Mg=weight of Mg consumed/moles of H2 evolvedX=0.01g/0.000411 moles=2
4.331Hydrogen H2 (gas) (0.000829 g) (0.000411 moles) Hydrogen Chloride HCI (In solution) (2
.157657 g) (0.059177 moles)
Magnesium Chloride MgCl2 (In solution) (0.039173g) (0.000411 moles)Water H2O (liquid) (33
0.000000 g) (18.318069 moles).

Discussion
It was fascinating to observe the reaction of hydrochloric acid with magnesium. As soon as the m
agnesium and hydrochloric acid mixed, the magnesium was consumed and formed bubbles that
dissipated into gas know as hydrogen.
1. Record the moles of hydrogen gas that has evolved.0.000411moles
2. Calculate the atomic weight of magnesium as follows:
Atomic weight of Mg (in grams) = weight (in grams) of Mg consumed / moles of H2
evolved
X=0.01g/0.000411 moles= 24.331g/moles
3. Discuss the stoichiometry of the chemical reaction that you are studying:
Mg+ 2HCl-->H2+Mg2+ (aq) + 2Cl-(aq)
When magnesium(Mg)is added into hydrochloric acid(HCl),the magnesium will dissolve
and will form bubbles of hydrogen gas(H2),when the Mg dissolves, it forms magnesium
ions with a +2 charge(Mg2+),and when the hydrogen atoms form H2gas, it leaves behind
the chloride ions(Cl-).Then, the Mg2+ ions will bond with the Cl- ions. Here is the single
replacement reaction equation:
Mg + 2 HCl MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (aq)
Note: aq stands aqueous solution, which means is has dissolved in water
4. How does the information in the balanced chemical equation above help you determine
the atomic weight of magnesium?
 Well, the equation above shows the relationships between the reactants, and the result
(product) of the chemical interactions between them. The equation above indicates that
there is a one to one (1:1 ratio) relationship between the number of moles of hydrogen
gas evolved and the moles of Magnesium metal consumed in the reaction
5. Discuss how the calculated atomic weight of the magnesium compare to information
found on the periodic table of elements.
The atomic weight from this experiment is 24.331g/moles, while the one on the atomic
table is fairly with a weight of 24.305.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was found that the reaction of magnesium metal with hydrochloric acid
produces bubbles of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas was used to measure the atomic weight of
magnesium. The equation for the reaction is:
Magnesium + hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride + hydrogen
Mg + 2HCl --> H2 + Mg2+ (aq) + 2Cl- (aq)