Magnesium Burns In Steam

Purpose:

1. To determine the effect of placing lighted magnesium ribbon into steam produced by boiling water.

Materials:

1. Water
2. Flask
3. Tongs
4. Magnesium ribbon
5. Ring stand
6. Bunsen burner

Procedure:

1. Place flask containing water on the ring stand.
2. Light the bunsen burner under the flask and let the water boil.
3. Place a strip of magnesium ribbons in the tongs, then ignite it by placing it in the flame of the Bunsen burner.
4. With the tongs, lower a piece of lighted magnesium ribbon into the steam.

Questions:

1. What happened to the magnesium ribbon when it was lowered into the steam?
2. Why does the magnesium continue to burn brightly, instead of going out?