Why the magnesium ribbon is rubbed with a sand paper?

Question

Answer

The magnesium ribbon should be cleaned before burning in the air because the layer of magnesium oxide (which is formed due to the reaction of magnesium with air ) can be removed in order to get the desired chemical reaction.
Also in order to remove the oxide layer, the presence of which slowdowns the oxidation process. So, by cleaning it, the burning process....Like rusting in case of iron, with magnesium, the oxide layer forms a white coating on the outside of the metal that will slow down or interfere with the burning process. Rubbing with sand paper helps to remove this oxide layer due to which burning speeds up.

Answer

Magnesium ribbon should be cleaned with sandpaper before burning in the air. ... To remove the Magnesium oxide layer from the ribbon which may prevent or slow down the burning of magnesium ribbon. Unwanted impurities deposited on the magnesium ribbon can be removed and only pure magnesium can be used for the reaction.

Answer

Why Magnesium Ribbon is Rubbed with Sand Paper?

Magnesium ribbon is a common reagent used in chemistry experiments. It is used for various purposes such as creating a bright flame during combustion reactions, and for the preparation of magnesium salts. However, before using magnesium ribbon, it is necessary to rub it with sandpaper. Here's why:

Removal of Oxide Layer

When magnesium is exposed to air, it reacts with oxygen to form a thin layer of magnesium oxide on its surface. This oxide layer can prevent the magnesium from reacting with other substances, and thus, it needs to be removed before use. Rubbing the magnesium ribbon with sandpaper helps to remove this oxide layer, exposing the clean surface of the metal.

Better Surface Area

Rubbing the magnesium ribbon with sandpaper also creates a better surface area for the reaction. The rough surface created by sandpaper allows for more surface area to be exposed, which increases the rate of reaction and ensures a more complete reaction.

Uniform Burning

By rubbing the magnesium ribbon with sandpaper, the surface area becomes more uniform, which helps to ensure that the ribbon burns evenly and completely. This is important for experiments that require a consistent reaction rate.

Safety Precautions

It is important to note that magnesium is a highly reactive metal and can ignite spontaneously in air. Therefore, it is important to handle magnesium ribbon with care and to always wear protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rubbing magnesium ribbon with sandpaper removes the oxide layer, creates a better surface area for a reaction, ensures uniform burning, and promotes safety in handling the metal. Therefore, it is an important step in using magnesium ribbon in chemical experiments.

Answer

Magnesium ribbon is rubbed with sandpaper to remove the oxidative layer formed due to the reaction of magnesium with oxygen in the atmosphere.

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