Deepak took a magnesium ribbon (cleaned) and burned it on a flame. The white powder formed was taken in a test tube and water was added to it. He then tested the solution prepared with red and blue litmus paper. What changes was seen by him and why?
Red litmus turned blue. Blue litmus remained blue. This happened because the magnesium ribbon on burning in air, forms the white magnesium oxide. When this oxide is dissolved in water, it forms magnesium hydroxide, which is basic in nature.