Metals in oxygen

• The general equation for metals in oxygen: $Metal\ +$$\ Oxygen\ \rightarrow\ Metal\ Oxide$
• What happens when Magnesium reacts with oxygen?

  Magnesium burns with a bright white flame, forming a white powder called magnesium oxide
• What’s the balanced symbol equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen?

  $2Mg\ +$$\ O_2\ \rightarrow\ 2MgO$
• What happens when Copper reacts with oxygen?

  When heated, copper reacts with oxygen to form black copper oxide
• Why does the mass seem to increase when metals react with oxygen?

  Because oxygen atoms bond with metal atoms to form a metal oxide