Magnesium reacts with hot water

[mrteverett]

I added the phenolphthalein a few seconds after adding the magnesium, allowing a few moments for the hydroxide ions to be produced and dissolve in water.

[danagol1985]

Is "Phenolphthalein" added before the reaction occurs, to show the PH of the solution, or is it actually created by the reaction of magnesium and water?

[GerryRich100]

if phenolphthalein weren't there this mixture would eventually look like skimmed milk.

[greenman77j]

is it still flammable?

[mrteverett]

@greenman77j

If you were to take the remaining magnesium strips, clean them and dry them, yes they would be flammable.

[IloveyouLenaKatina]

its pwetty :P

[supernova1050]

I thought magnesium hydroxide was white. It is milk of magnesia, right?

[mrteverett]

@supernova1050

It is white, but I doubt there's enough there to be visible. It may also be more soluble at a higher temperature.

[KAMichaelTherien]

Would it be possible to use an electrolysis process to revert the Mg(OH)2 back to solid magnesium?

[nickalisse1]

@KAMichaelTherien I asked my self the same question n made some researches. Thaught u could use MgOH as some Epsom salt. Then just like the separation on hydrogen n oxygen with electrolysis, I would get solid Mg, right?The way of doing it is more complicted then i thaught at 1st. As a matter of fact it's the same principle as getting solid sodium from NaCl. Need to elevate the pure MgOH to a very high temp (no H2O). Electrolised the melt MgOH. Don't know how to reach that temperature though.

[DJFamou5]

Its like a party - MagnesiumPARTYYY!!!!

[siddharth5]

im about to try this, is it important to have a large amount of magnesium ?

[mrteverett]

@siddharth5

I would definitely try at least a 20 cm piece broken down into pieces. You want to make sure enough of the Mg will react. At higher temps, less Mg is necessary.

[sammyboy1234]

Would that create MgO and H gas?

[mrteverett]

The products are magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

[kcj1993]

@mrteverett So the magnesium is just a catalyst?

[mrteverett]

@kcj1993

No, the magnesium is a reactant:

Mg + H2O --> Mg(OH)2 + H2

[kcj1993]

@mrteverett Ah.

[liquidgrain]

light it light it light it ! ! !