fumes were allowed to escape from the crucible. (what is the composition of the fumes )
Wouldn't you think that depends upon what material is being heated? I have no idea what you were heating.
2Mg+O2=2MgO
To determine the composition of the fumes released from a crucible, chemical analysis is generally required. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to approach this:
1. Collect the fumes: Make sure to carefully capture the fumes that escape from the crucible. You can do this by using a suitable collection apparatus, such as a condenser, a fume hood, or a gas-sampling syringe.
2. Analyze the captured fumes:
a. Gas Chromatography (GC): Gas chromatography is a widely used technique to separate and identify the components of a gaseous mixture. You can collect a sample of the fumes and inject it into a gas chromatograph to analyze its composition.
b. Mass Spectrometry (MS): Mass spectrometry can be coupled with gas chromatography to identify individual compounds present in the fumes. It subjects the separated components to ionization and measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions produced, allowing for identification.
c. Infrared Spectroscopy (IR): Infrared spectroscopy can provide information about the functional groups present in the fumes. By passing infrared light through the captured fumes, you can observe the absorbance patterns and compare them with known spectra to identify the compounds.
3. Interpret the results: Once you have obtained the data from the analysis techniques, the identified components can be determined. This could include various gases or volatile compounds that were released from the crucible, depending on the materials contained in it.
It's important to note that without specific information about the materials being heated or the experimental conditions, it is challenging to determine the exact composition of the fumes. Therefore, conducting the necessary chemical analysis as mentioned above would be essential in this scenario.