Magnesium

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol, Mg, and the atomic number 12, and has an appearance of shiny grey, gold. It belongs to the Alkaline earth metal group on the periodic table. This element is the 8th most abundant element in the Earth's crust. This element is not found naturally on Earth, and is highly reactive. This element also has an extremely low solubility level. Magnesium ions are sour to the taste and in low concentration help to impart a natural tartness to fresh mineral waters

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Magnesium has a melting point of 6488.8 degrees Celsius, and a boiling point of 1090 degrees Celsius. Magnesium is used in pyrotechnic and incendiary devices. It is alloyed with other metals to make them lighter and more easily welded, with applications in the aerospace industry.

Magnesium is not found naturally on earth. 11th most abundant element by mass in the human body. Hundreds of enzymes require magnesium in order to survive. Magnesium is very sour to taste.

Magnesium has an atomic weight of 24.305. Magnesium is silvery-white in color and is a relatively rough element. Magnesium tarnishes slightly in air. Magnesium is the 8th most abundant element in the earth's crust.

There has been some speculation that magnesium deficiency can lead to depression. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) magnesium has been found low in treatment-resistant suicidal depression and in patients that have attempted suicide. Magnesium chloride in small doses have been linked with lowering depression.


 * Uses of Magnesium**

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 * In the Kroll process, magnesium is used to obtain titanium.
 * Magnesium is both strong and light. This makes it ideal for use in automobile and truck parts. It is often alloyed with other strong metals (such as aluminum).
 * Due to its low weight and good mechanical and electrical properties, magnesium is used to manufacture cell phones (also called mobile phones), laptops and cameras. It can also be used to make some other electrical components.
 * Three different compounds of magnesium are used as antiseptics.
 * Textiles are ‘moth-proofed’ (become resistant to moths) through the use of a magnesium compound.
 * Magnesium sulfite is used in the manufacture of paper.
 * Magnesium bromide can be used as a mild sedative. However, it is the action of the bromine that causes the sedative effect.
 * The powder that gymnasts and weightlifters use to improve grip is magnesium carbonate.
 * Magnesium ions are essential for all living creatures. Therefore, magnesium salts are added to foods and fertilizers.
 * Magnesium can be used as a reducing agent- producing uranium from its salt.
 * As magnesium produces a bright, white light when it burns, it is ideal for use in flash photography, flares and firework sparklers.


 * Name:** Magnesium **Symbol:** Mg **Atomic Number:** 12 **Atomic Mass:** 24.305 amu **Melting Point:** 650.0 °C (923.15 K, 1202.0 °F) **Boiling Point:** 1107.0 °C (1380.15 K, 2024.6 °F) **Number of Protons/Electrons:** 12 **Number of Neutrons:** 12 **Classification:** Alkaline Earth **Crystal Structure:** Hexagonal **Density @ 293 K:** 1.738 g/cm3 **Color:** grayish

Atomic Structure

 * [[image:http://www.chemicalelements.com/bohr/b0012.gif width="241" height="239"]] ||  || **Number of Energy Levels:** 3
 * First Energy Level:** **Second Energy Level:** **Third Energy Level:** ||

Isotopes

 * ** Isotope ** || ** Half Life ** ||
 * Mg-24 || Stable ||
 * Mg-25 || Stable ||
 * Mg-26 || Stable ||
 * Mg-27 || 9.45 minutes ||
 * Mg-28 || 21.0 hours ||

Facts

 * Date of Discovery:** 1808 **Discoverer:** Sir Humphrey Davy **Name Origin:** Magnesia (City) **Uses:** airplanes, missiles **Obtained From:** sea water

Magnesium’s outer shell has only two electrons out of the ordinary eight, making it highly reactive. It cannot be found in nature as an independent compound. In seawater, for example, it is found as the salt Magnesium Chloride, comprised of one magnesium cation and two chloride anions.
 * Interesting Fact About Magnesium:**

=Safety Precautions =

Magnesium metal and its alloys are explosive hazards; they are highly flammable in their pure form when molten or in powder or ribbon form. Burning or molten magnesium metal reacts violently with water. When working with powdered magnesium, safety glasses with welding eye protection are employed, because the bright white light produced by burning magnesium contains ultraviolet light that can permanently damage the retinas of the eyes.

Magnesium is capable of reducing water to the highly flammable hydrogen gas:

Mg (s) + 2 H2O (l) → Mg(OH)2 (s) + H2 (g) As a result, water cannot be used to extinguish magnesium fires; the hydrogen gas produced will only intensify the fire. Dry sand is an effective smothering agent but is usable only on relatively level and flat surfaces.