The reaction between magnesium and oxygen
| Magnesium | + | Oxygen | → | Magnesium oxide |
| 2Mg | + | O2 | → | 2MgO |
Magnesium burns with an exceptionally bright white flame. If you perform this experiment in the lab you will probably be required to wear sunglasses or look through another sort of protective tinted glass such as a welding mask to protect your eyes. The magnesium oxide (also known as magnesia) produced is white. This magnesium oxide is soluble in water, producing magnesium hydroxide, which is a very alkaline solution with a pH of around 12.
