Question

Name the type of chemical reaction that occurs when magnesium ribbon is burned in air.

Answer 1

• When magnesium ribbon is burned in the air, it reacts with oxygen and forms magnesium oxide. In this reaction, two substances combine to produce a new substance. Therefore, it is a combination or synthesis reaction.
• A combination reaction is a reaction in which two reactants react to form a single product.

$\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B}\to \mathrm{AB}$

$$\begin{gathered} 2\mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2\mathrm{MgO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right) \\ \mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{Oxygen}\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{oxide} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore, the type of chemical reaction formed when magnesium ribbon is burned in the air is a combination or synthesis reaction.