[SuperGuy123]

Hello,
I have been given a lab to find the Empirical formula of a compound using the data I collected during a lab. The combustion equation for magnesium strip is below:

2Mg_(s) + O_2(g)  2MgO_(s)

What I'm wondering, is if this is my equation, what empirical formula can I find? The empirical formula for MgO is just MgO since it is ionic right? What should I do? Is there another compound that I missed?

Thanks for your help.

[Borek]

How do you know the equation? In general, all you know is that you had a piece of metal, now you have a white dust. You can weigh both. You are to determine the formula assuming you know nothing more than the masses.

[SuperGuy123]

It's the combustion of magnesium. magnesium + oxygen  magnesium oxide

If it is ionic, I just have to match the charges do I not?

[Borek]

No, you have to solve the question as if you were not knowing anything about the oxide.

Besides, there is more than one magnesium oxide, so your assumption can be wrong.

[SuperGuy123]

Thanks!

That makes sense!

Mg + O₂   Mg_?O_?

EDIT:
Just one more question: Any other combination of Mg and O would give a non-zero charge. Is that not incorrect?

[Borek]

Just one more question: Any other combination of Mg and O would give a non-zero charge. Is that not incorrect?

Assuming O^2- it would be incorrect, but there are other possibilities as well. O₂^2- and O₂^- come to mind.