Easy Science Experiment Making Magnesium Carbonate from Epsom Salt and Washing Soda
Channel: Andrew P
Date: 2019-01-05

Simple gradeschool precipitate reaction from a saturated solution of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) and Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate).  Happens super fast. Ooooh, Ahhhh. Sew exciting. Behold. 

I used about 4 cups of water in each pot, 4+ cups of Epsom Salts, 3+ cups of Washing soda. Resultant goop needs to be washed in clean water several times before baking (evaporating) to yield Magnesium Carbonate powder. Powder has several uses, including my intended use as a precursor for magnesium oxide (by calcining) or magnesium hydroxide (by mixing with lyme (calcium hydroxide). I can only speak for the relative safety of the reaction on film. Magnesium Carbonate safety info can be found on Wikipedia or by searching for an MSDS (SDS).