Burning of magnesium gives:

**The reasoning** When magnesium *burns*, it reacts with oxygen from the air. This is a **combustion reaction** (also called oxidation). The word "burning" is your key clue—it means reacting with O₂. The equation is simple: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO Magnesium metal combines directly with oxygen gas to produce magnesium oxide—a white powdery ash you'd see if you actually burned magnesium ribbon in the lab. That bright white light you see? That's MgO forming! **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **MgCl₂** forms when Mg reacts with *chlorine* or hydrochloric acid—not burning. - **Mg(OH)₂** forms when MgO reacts with *water*, or Mg reacts with water directly—not burning. - **MgSO₄** forms when Mg reacts with *sulfuric acid*—completely different reaction. All these are real magnesium compounds, but they require different reactants, not just burning in air. **Quick takeaway** **"Burning" always means reacting with oxygen from the air—so metals burning give you oxides (MgO, CaO, etc.), not chlorides, hydroxides, or sulfates.**