Question

Explain why a mixture of copper oxide and magnesium reacts when heated while there is no reaction when a mixture of copper and magnesium oxide is heated.

Answer 1

When copper oxide is heated with magnesium powder, then magnesium oxide and copper are formed..For example, magnesium is more reactive than copper. When a piece of magnesium is dipped into blue copper sulfate solution: the blue colour fades as colourless magnesium sulfate solution forms. brown copper coats the surface of the magnesium.

Answer 2

Answer:

The reaction is:

Copper oxide + magnesium → copper + magnesium oxide

This shows that magnesium is higher in the reactivity series than copper.

Most of the products are vaporised in the above reaction.