The ash obtained by burning magnesium ribbon is Magnesium oxide which when dissolved in water & tested is found to possess
- AOption (a)
Acidic nature
- BOption (b)
Basic nature
- COption (c)
Not basic and not acidic
- DOption (d)
Both acidic & basic nature
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Correct answer
Basic nature
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is Basic nature.
Key Points
- The ash obtained by burning magnesium ribbon is Magnesium oxide which when dissolved in water & tested is found to possess basic nature.
- Magnesium oxide is basic in nature as it reacts with water to form magnesium hydroxide which is a base.
- Basic in nature means when a substance is soapy and bitter in taste and when a substance changes red litmus blue.
- The oxidation or combustion of magnesium in the air has long been used as a source of intense light in photography and for other photochemical reactions.
- The energy released in this combustion occurs as the magnesium reacts with oxygen in the air according to the equation:
- 2 Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2 MgO (s)
- When this magnesium oxide is dissolved in water, it liberates hydroxyl [OH−] ions in water. This makes the solution basic.
Additional Information
- The burning magnesium ribbon produces light of sufficient intensity to cause temporary loss of sight.
- The burning of magnesium in the air produces intense heat which can cause burns and initiate combustion in flammable materials.
- Since a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher will not extinguish burning magnesium, a dry-powder extinguisher must be used.
- Once cooled to room temperature, the magnesium oxide solid from the ribbon should be discarded in a waste container.










