What is a use of sulphur dioxide and magnesium oxide? Relate both to its properties.

1 Answer
Jacob T.
Aug 1, 2018
  • Sulfur dioxide #"SO"_2# serves as a bleaching agent for its oxidizing properties;
  • Magnesium oxide #"MgO"# helps neutralize excess gastric juice for being a basic oxide.

Explanation:

Each sulfur (#"IV"#) oxide molecule is capable of accepting two electrons and being reduced. The species that have lost the two electrons is considered "oxidized."

#stackrel(+4)("S")"O"_2 + 1/2 color(white)(l) "O"_2 color(white)(l) + 2 color(white)(l) "e"^(-) to stackrel(+6)("S")"O"_3 (g)#

Organic molecules tend to lose color on oxidation.

Magnesium #"Mg"# is a metal and form basic oxides. #"MgO"# neutralizes hydrochloric acid #"HCl"#, a primary component of the gastric juice, to form #"MgCl"_2# and water:

#"MgO" (s) + 2 color(white)(l) "HCl"(aq) to "MgCl"_2 (aq) + 2 color(white)(l) "H"_2"O"(l)#

Additionally, magnesium #"Mg"# lies in the third period and tends to be non-toxic at low dosages. #"MgO"# is generally insoluble in water and will not be directly absorbed if administrated in excess.

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