What happens when a burning magnesium ribbon is inserted into a jar full of carbon dioxide gas? Write the balanced chemical reaction.

Question

Accepted Answer

The burning magnesium continues to burn brightly inside the carbon dioxide, because magnesium is reactive enough to take oxygen from CO2. It forms white magnesium oxide powder and black carbon powder, proving that CO2 contains carbon: 2Mg(s) + CO2(g) → 2MgO(s) + C(s).