======Magnesium and Steam Reaction======


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**Alternative titles:** Hydrogen Production from Magnesium and Steam
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  * Refer to below links for method. 




====Links==== 
The reaction of magnesium with steam | Demonstrating the reactivity series & displacement reactions - Royal Society of Chemistry: 
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Reaction of Magnesium with Steam - Rugby School Chemistry: 
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====Variations====
  * Compare magnesium’s reaction with cold water, hot water, and steam to illustrate the effect of temperature.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear goggles and a lab coat; magnesium burns with an intense light—avoid looking directly at it.  
  * Use heatproof gloves and tongs to handle hot glassware.  
  * Hydrogen gas is flammable; ensure good ventilation and keep away from open flames except during controlled splint testing.  
  * Ensure the combustion tube is heat-resistant and securely clamped.  
  * Do not touch magnesium oxide residue until the apparatus has cooled.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does magnesium react only slowly with cold water but rapidly with steam? (Cold water produces insoluble magnesium hydroxide that coats the metal; steam supplies higher energy and avoids this passivation.)  
  * What is the balanced chemical equation for magnesium reacting with steam? (Mg + H₂O → MgO + H₂)  
  * What type of reaction is taking place? (Redox reaction: magnesium is oxidized, hydrogen ions are reduced.)  
  * Why does magnesium form an oxide with steam instead of a hydroxide? (Hydroxides decompose at high temperatures to oxides and water.)