Category: MGO

  • Magnesium Oxide Formula

    Magnesium Oxide Formula

    Magnesium oxide (MgO) is an inorganic compound consisting of magnesium and oxygen. It is commonly referred to as magnesia and occurs naturally as the mineral periclase. Magnesium oxide is a white, odorless solid with a high melting point.

    Chemical Formula of Magnesium Oxide

    The chemical formula of magnesium oxide is MgO. It indicates that one magnesium ion (Mg2+) is combined with one oxygen ion (O2-) in the compound.

    Structure of Magnesium Oxide

    Magnesium oxide adopts a crystal lattice structure. The magnesium cation (Mg2+) has a 2+ charge, and the oxygen anion (O2–) has a 2- charge. In the crystal lattice, the magnesium ions are surrounded by six oxygen ions, forming an octahedral coordination arrangement. This arrangement contributes to the stability of the crystal lattice.

    Physical Properties of Magnesium Oxide

    • State: Magnesium oxide exists as a white solid at room temperature.
    • Melting Point: It has a high melting point of around 2,800 degrees Celsius.
    • Solubility: Magnesium oxide is sparingly soluble in water, meaning only a small amount dissolves. It forms a slightly alkaline solution.
    • Density: The density of solid magnesium oxide is approximately 3.58 g/cm³.
    • Appearance: Magnesium oxide is a fine white powder.

    Chemical Properties of Magnesium Oxide

    • Acid-Base Properties: Magnesium oxide is a basic oxide, meaning it can react with acids to form salts and water through a neutralization reaction.
    • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions: Magnesium oxide can undergo oxidation-reduction reactions, particularly when heated in the presence of oxygen. It readily reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.
    • Reactivity with Water: Magnesium oxide does not react significantly with water at room temperature. However, it can react with water vapor at high temperatures to form magnesium hydroxide.
    • Insoluble in Organic Solvents: Magnesium oxide is insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol or acetone.
    • Refractory Properties: Due to its high melting point and resistance to heat, magnesium oxide is used as a refractory material in applications that require high-temperature stability.
    • Antacid and Pharmaceutical Use: Magnesium oxide is commonly used as an antacid to neutralize excess stomach acid and relieve symptoms of indigestion or heartburn. It can also be used as a dietary supplement to provide magnesium ions.

    Magnesium Nitrate Formula

    The formula for magnesium nitrate is Mg(NO3)2. It consists of one magnesium ion (Mg2+) and two nitrate ions (NO3-).

    Solved Examples Involving Magnesium Oxide

    Example 1: Calculating the Formula Mass of Magnesium Oxide

    To determine the formula mass of magnesium oxide, we need to consider the atomic masses of magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O).

    Magnesium (Mg) atomic mass = 24.31 g/mol
    Oxygen (O) atomic mass = 16.00 g/mol

    Since magnesium oxide has one atom of magnesium and one atom of oxygen, we can add their atomic masses to find the formula mass:

    Formula mass of magnesium oxide = atomic mass of Mg + atomic mass of O
    = 24.31 g/mol + 16.00 g/mol
    = 40.31 g/mol

    Therefore, the formula mass of magnesium oxide is approximately 40.31 g/mol.

    Example 2: Balancing the Chemical Equation for the Formation of Magnesium Oxide

    The balanced equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide is:

    2 Mg + O2 -> 2 MgO

    This equation shows that two moles of magnesium react with one mole of oxygen to produce two moles of magnesium oxide. The balanced equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

    Example 3: Determining the Percentage Composition of Magnesium and Oxygen in Magnesium Oxide

    To find the percentage composition of magnesium and oxygen in magnesium oxide, we need to calculate the mass of each element relative to the total mass of the compound.

    Assume we have 100 g of magnesium oxide.

    The molar mass of magnesium oxide is 40.31 g/mol (as determined in Example 1).

    Example 4: Calculating the Mass of Magnesium

    The molar mass of magnesium is 24.31 g/mol.

    The molar ratio of magnesium to magnesium oxide is 1:1.

    Therefore, the mass of magnesium in 100 g of magnesium oxide is (24.31 g/mol / 40.31 g/mol) × 100 g = 60.29 g.

    Example 5: Calculating the Mass of Oxygen

    The molar mass of oxygen is 16.00 g/mol.

    The molar ratio of oxygen to magnesium oxide is 1:1.

    Therefore, the mass of oxygen in 100 g of magnesium oxide is (16.00 g/mol / 40.31 g/mol) × 100 g = 39.71 g.

    Thus, in 100 g of magnesium oxide, there is approximately 60.29 g of magnesium and 39.71 g of oxygen.

    To determine the percentage composition, we divide the mass of each element by the total mass of magnesium oxide and multiply by 100.

    Percentage composition of magnesium = (60.29 g / 100 g) × 100% ≈ 60.29%
    Percentage composition of oxygen = (39.71 g / 100 g) × 100% ≈ 39.71%

    Therefore, in magnesium oxide, magnesium constitutes about 60.29% of the compound’s mass, while oxygen constitutes about 39.71%.

    Frequently Asked Questions on Magnesium Oxide

    1. What is the common name of magnesium oxide?

    The common name for magnesium oxide is “magnesia.”

    2. What are 5 physical properties of magnesium oxide?

    Here are five physical properties of magnesium oxide:

    • Appearance: Magnesium oxide is a white, crystalline solid. It typically appears as a fine powder or granules.
    • Density: The density of magnesium oxide varies depending on its form and manufacturing process. It typically ranges from 3.58 to 3.64 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
    • Melting Point: Magnesium oxide has a high melting point. It melts at approximately 2,800 degrees Celsius (5,072 degrees Fahrenheit), making it suitable for applications that require resistance to high temperatures.
    • Solubility: Magnesium oxide has a low solubility in water. It is practically insoluble, meaning it does not dissolve readily in water. However, it can react with acids to form soluble magnesium salts.
    • Electrical Conductivity: Magnesium oxide is an insulator, meaning it does not conduct electricity. It has high electrical resistivity and is often used as an electrical insulating material in various applications.

    3. What is magnesium oxide made up of?

    Magnesium oxide (MgO) is composed of the elements magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O). It has a chemical formula of MgO, indicating that each magnesium oxide unit contains one atom of magnesium and one atom of oxygen.

    4. What type of compound is magnesium oxide?

    Magnesium oxide (MgO) is classified as an ionic compound. It is formed through the combination of magnesium (Mg), which loses two electrons to form a 2+ cation, and oxygen (O), which gains two electrons to form a 2- anion. The resulting electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions creates the ionic bond in magnesium oxide.

    5. What is the role of magnesium oxide in medicine and as a dietary supplement?

    Magnesium oxide is often used in medicine and as a dietary supplement due to its role in providing magnesium, an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various biological processes. Magnesium is necessary for maintaining healthy bones, nerve function, muscle contraction, and heart rhythm. As a result, magnesium oxide is utilized as a supplement to ensure an adequate intake of magnesium in the diet. Additionally, it is sometimes used as an antacid to alleviate symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach by neutralizing excess stomach acid.

    In conclusion, magnesium oxide (MgO) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula MgO. It has a white, odorless solid with a high melting point. Magnesium oxide is used in various applications such as a refractory material, antacid, and dietary supplement. Its physical and chemical properties make it suitable for these diverse uses.

  • What is MGO and How Does it Relate to Active Honey?

    What is MGO and How Does it Relate to Active Honey?

    What is MGO?

    Have you ever seen a jar of honey with a number next to it? 5+, 10+, 15+? Or MGO 70+, MGO 100? Or TA 10+? Or NPA 15+? Or UMF 10+? And the higher the number the more expensive the honey? What do all these numbers mean? These numbers indicate active honey. Active honey is honey that has been tested and certified by an independent laboratory to possess antibacterial “activity.” Although manuka is the most commonly known active honey, other honeys also have antibacterial activity. Activity in honey is usually measured by a number, e.g., 5, 9, 13, 17, etc. which the testing laboratory determines in tests. Here is a sample test report:

    | Activity Grade | Rating | MGO (mg/kg) |
    |----------------|--------|-------------|
    | 10+            | Moderate | 100-263   |
    | 15+            | Useful  | 263-514   |
    | 20+            | High    | 514-829   |
    | 25+            | Very high | 829-1232 |
    | 30+            | Superior | 1232-1736 |
    

    On a honey jar label this grade is often rounded off to the nearest multiple of 5, e.g. 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+, for example:

    • The higher the number, the higher the antibacterial potency (or bacteria killing power) of the honey.
    • Honeys with an activity of below 10 are not considered to have significant antibacterial potency to kill bacteria. So you should try to avoid buying active honey which has an activity rating below 10.
    • Honeys with an activity rating of 20+ or more are considered very powerful and are usually the most expensive.
    • Genuine manuka honey with a TA of 20+ retails at up to £100 a jar.

    Types of Activity in Honey

    There are two types of activity in honey: Peroxide Activity (PA) and Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA). In manuka honey, NPA is also sometimes stated as UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) but they are exactly the same thing. Peroxide Activity is bioactivity caused by the presence of naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide in honey. Non-Peroxide Activity is bioactivity caused by the presence of other bioactive compounds in the honey.

    For example, a honey with a PA of 12 and a NPA of 7 has a Total Activity of 19 and may be labelled on a jar as TA 15+. Peroxide Activity is known to degrade with heat and time so pasteurizing, or heating honey, above 45C can kill some of its bioactivity. So you should never heat or microwave active honey. As for time, Peroxide Activity degrades very slowly over many years, which is far longer than the average time a jar of honey lasts in a kitchen.

    MGO and UMF

    MGO is short for methylglyoxal, which is another way of measuring the activity of honey, but is usually only used with manuka honey. MGO is NOT the same as the UMF value. The table below shows the equivalence. So an MGO 70+ is not better than a UMF 20+. In fact, an MGO 70+ is the lowest grade of honey with very little antibacterial properties. Some manuka retailers cleverly market their honey with their MGO value in large font because on a shop shelf most consumers will not know the difference between MGO and UMF. They will simply think that the higher number is better, and buy that, not knowing that it will hardly do anything for them.

    MGO Grade UMF Equivalent
    10+ 5+
    70+ 10+
    100+ 12+
    200+ 15+
    250+ 18+
    400+ 20+

    Benefits of Active Honey

    None really, except that manuka is more well known, a few celebrities use it and thus, much more expensive. A honey with a Total Activity of 20+ has exactly the same antibacterial activity as a Manuka honey with a Total Activity of 20+. Active honey is more expensive than other honeys because it is proven to have something that benefits you. When compared to the amount of money people spend on artificial vitamins and cosmetics to strengthen their bodies or their skin, active honey is not actually that expensive. It has no side effects when used in moderation. It can be eaten and applied on the skin. Active honey is very powerful. This is why it is more expensive than other honey. You can use active honey like any other honey but it is normally used to build a weak immune system, replenish the body after surgery or to fight infections. If using 20+ active honey, half a teaspoon dissolved in half a glass of warm water first thing in the morning is sufficient. For 10+ active honey, use a teaspoon mixed into a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. You can repeat this twice more throughout the day. Active honey can also be applied on the skin. Up to 20 minutes at a time on the face and overnight on other parts of the body. Always test an area of skin first for a short time before building up.

    Choosing Active Honey

    Surely, anyone can just add a number to a label? Simply ask the supplier that you wish to see the certificate from the laboratory which tested the activity rating of the honey you are buying. This should be in addition to your usual checks about the company you are buying from: their name, address, registration and license numbers, internet presence, etc. The Latin Honey Shop sells two laboratory certified active honeys. One is the Active Multifloral Honey 20+ TA and the other is the Active Multifloral Honey 10+ TA. Both are tastier and affordable alternatives to manuka honey.

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