How can you separate magnesium oxide into its elements?

Answer 1

Well, first you would heat magnesium in a crucible over a Bunsen burner, and this will cause the magnesium to react with both the oxygen and nitrogen in the air by the following equations:

2Mg(s) + O2(g) -> 2MgO(s)

3Mg(s) + O2(g) -> Mg3N2(s)

Now you will want to purify the solution by getting rid of the MgN. To do that, you add water to the magnesium oxide and magnesium nitride and heat it, causing the water to react with the magnesium nitride by the following reaction:

Mg3N2(s) + 6H2O(l) -> 2NH3(g) + 3Mg(OH)2(s)

As you continue heating, the ammonia is driven off into the air, and the magnesium hydroxide decomposes by the following formula:

Mg(OH)2(s) -> H2O(l) + MgO(s)

Thus you are left with only MgO, because the during the heating the water is changed to gas and driven off as well.

So all in all you added heat and water!

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Well magnesium oxide is simply MgO so you take them apart and have Mg and O, but keep in mind that oxygen is diatomic, so it will actually be Mg + O2.

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After the reduction with carbon at approx. 2 000 0C the magnesium oxide is decomposed:

MgO + C = Mg + CO

Answer 3

Burn magnesium in an atmosphere of oxygen.

Answer 4

Dissolve it in water

Answer 5

Oxygen. Heat to decrease reaction time