Reacting magnesium with copper(II) oxide

A photograph of a glass tube containing magnesium and copper oxide; the tube has been heated and glows as a reaction takes place.

Source: © Shutterstock

Illustrate reduction, oxidation and the relative reactivity of magnesium and copper(II) oxide in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students observe the redox reaction between copper(II) oxide and magnesium, demonstrating magnesium’s ability to remove oxygen from an oxide of copper, and hence the relative positions of copper and magnesium in the reactivity series.

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