Procedure
Materials
Porcelain Crucible (about 2 cm wide)
Crucible Tongs (30 cm)
Magnesium ribbon, cut into 1/16 inch strips
Bunsen burner (orange base)
Porcelain triangle
Ring Stand
Electronic Balance (1/1000 g sensitivity)
Metal Spatula
Matches
Methods
1a) Close Bunsen burneršs air openings.
2a) Light match
3a) Hold match over Bunsen burner
4a) Turn on gas
5a) Adjust air openings until you have a hot flame
6a) To heat the crucible, place it on the porcelain triangle and move it over the flame.
1b) Heat the crucible over the Bunsen burner for five minutes.
2b) Allow crucible to cool for five minutes.
3b) Weigh the crucible to 100th place
4b) Scrape magnesium ribbon clean
5b) Cut the ribbon into 1/16th inch pieces
6b) Place .1 to .5 grams of magnesium piece in the crucible
7b) Weigh the crucible again, with the magnesium in it
8b) Calculate mass of magnesium in crucible
9b) Heat the crucible over the Bunsen burner again for five to ten minutes. The metal should glow red.
10b) Allow the crucible to cool and reweigh it. Note any change in mass.
11b) Clean out the crucible with the metal spatula
12b) Repeat steps 1b through 11b twice more.