What happens when you mix Magnesium and Oxygen?

Dazzling light! Magnesium burns

When magnesium burns in oxygen it gives off a super bright white light. The shiny metal turns into a white powder called magnesium oxide.

The result

What it makes
Magnesium oxide
Equation
2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
When it happens
When heated

Fun fact from Fizzy: Old-time cameras used burning magnesium as a flash!

🥽 Burning magnesium is so bright it can hurt your eyes. Never look straight at it.

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