Chemical Reaction of Magnesium Oxide

What factor plays the most important role in allowing the reaction of magnesium oxide to occur?

a) temperature
b) concentration
c) pressure
d) surface area

The only factor that plays the most important role in allowing the reaction of magnesium oxide to occur is temperature.

Magnesium oxide does not readily decompose into magnesium and oxygen. The reaction is shown below:

MgO(s) + 601.7 kJ → Mg(s) + ½O2(g)

What is an endothermic reaction?

An endothermic reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which the reactants absorb heat energy from the surroundings to form the products. In this case, the heat is a reactant in the product side of the reaction of magnesium oxide.

Reaction of Magnesium Oxide

MgO(s) -----> Mg(s) + ½O₂

Since magnesium oxide (MgO) is in a solid state, factors like concentration, pressure, and surface area do not play the most important role in allowing the reaction to occur. Only temperature will favor the forward reaction due to the heat being a reactant in the product side.