4 Mg + SiO2 → Mg2Si + 2 MgO

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

SiIV + 8 e- → Si-IV (reduction)

4 Mg0 - 8 e- → 4 MgII (oxidation)

SiO2 is an oxidizing agent, Mg is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

  • Mg
    • Names: Magnesium source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Magnesium (powder) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Magnesium (pellets) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Grey powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Silvery-white metallic solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • SiO2

    Products:

    • Mg2Si
      • Names: Magnesium silicide source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • MgO – Magnesium oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
      • Other names: Magnesia source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Periclase source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Magnesium oxide fume source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
      • Appearance: White powder source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Hygroscopic fine white powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Finely divided white particulate dispersed in air. [Note: Exposure may occur when magnesium is burned, thermally cut, or welded upon.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02