Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air ?

1.	Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air ?
Answer» A Magnasium ribbon is cleaned to remove the protective layer of basic magnesium carbonate from its surface so that it may readily combine the oxygen of air. Magnesium ribbon should be cleaned with sandpaper before burning in the air because of the following reasons :# magnesium very reactive element which rapidly reacts with oxygen in the air to form a white layer of magnesium oxide and this layer will not burn. # To remove the magnesium oxide layer from the ribbon which may prevent or slow down the burning of magnesium ribbon

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