Image source
Info Source
header
Monday, February 11, 2013
2/11/2013 - Magnesium Oxide
This post isn't so much a reaction, but a little informational blurb on magnesium oxide, something that is involved in our everyday life that we don't know about. One of it's major jobs on our planet is as a refractory material, or known to the non-engineering world, as something that can hold something else that is extremely hot! It is used as a refractory material because of it's unusual chemical and thermal stability (i.e. it won't react or melt under high temperatures), because it's melting point is 2852°C, which is about half as hot as the earth's core. In my undergrad thesis I had the pleasure of working with this substance in the crucibles for TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) experiments, because the crucible needed to handle hot temperatures. Now industrial heat isn't all MgO can handle, it is also known to medically relieve Heartburn, along with sore stomach and diarrhea, as acting as an antacid. As for the chemistry of this substance, it is difficult for it to react with anything, but to make it it involves the calcination (heat under oxygen) of Magnesium hydroxide or Magnesium carbonate. Overall, this is a substance that would be hard to live without in today's world and has already gained my respect!
Image source
Info Source
Image source
Info Source
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Is it also possible to make it by burning solid magnesium? I teach high school chemistry, and this is a common reaction/demo that is used, with the assumption that the product is in fact MgO.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are correct! It is a great reaction to watch, with sunglasses that is haha! A very dangerous reaction though, so on an industrial level the methods used are the ones I mentioned. But thank you a lot for your comment, I will add your information in there. Have a good day!
DeletePaul