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Q&As since 1989
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Where to buy Mg powder for science experiment?
Q. I live in England, an I have a small problem. I'm not sure how to get my hands on Mg. I have done quite a few experiments at school, but me and my father wanted to conduct an experiment where it was powdered and added to sulfuric acid. Please help.
Joel S.hobbyist - Skipton, Carleton, England
2004
A. Try a chemical supply house such as VWR (was BDH until it got taken over) or Sigma-Aldrich.
I have to ask, but why do you want to put magnesium powder into sulfuric acid? I hope you appreciate that all powders are much more chemically reactive than larger lumps because of their significantly greater surface area. Consequently, the magnesium powder may be initially covered in a layer of oxide, but when it starts to react with the acid, it will go at an alarming rate. I suggest you are very very careful doing this!
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004
!!! Thanks for a very important warning, Trevor! I have seen some plating operations on powder that were so exothermic it was frightening. People tend to forget that the surface area of powders is enormous and, as a result, chemical reactions can occur at explosive speeds. With a very active metal like magnesium powder, your warning is especially apt.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004
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