Ever wondered what happens when you mix burning magnesium with dry ice (solid carbon dioxide)? The result might surprise you — and serves as an important fire safety lesson. Magnesium is a highly reactive metal that burns at over 3,000°F (1,650°C). That’s hot enough to rip the oxygen atoms out of carbon dioxide molecules, leaving behind carbon (you’ll see it as black soot in the video) and forming white magnesium oxide. In other words, magnesium can literally turn a fire extinguisher’s contents into fuel. That’s why you should never use a CO₂ fire extinguisher on a magnesium fire — it won’t put it out. In fact, it can make things worse by feeding the fire even more oxygen. #chemteacherphil #themoreyouknow #chemistry