Quick Facts about Magnesium
| Symbol | Mg |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 12 |
| Atomic Mass | 24.305 |
| Discovered by | Magnesium was discovered by Joseph Black |
Chemical Properties of Magnesium
| Group | 2 | Melting point | 650°C, 1202°F, 923 K |
| Period | 3 | Boiling point | 1090°C, 1994°F, 1363 K |
| Block | s | Density (g cm−3) | 1.74 |
| Atomic number | 12 | Relative atomic mass | 24.305 |
| State at 20°C | Gas | Key isotopes | 24Mg |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s2 | CAS number | 7439-95-4 |
| ChemSpider ID | 4575328 | ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database | |
What is Magnesium?
- Magnesium stands out as the most chemically active element.
- When water reaches its boiling point, magnesium replaces hydrogen, leading to the production of several metals through the thermal reduction of its salts and oxidized forms.
- Positioned in the second group of the periodic table, magnesium has been utilized for a century, primarily in bonded forms.
- However, it took the efforts of Chemist Sir Humphry Davy to purify and isolate the metal since it was naturally found bonded, causing a delay in its isolation.
- Labeled as the eighth most abundant element, magnesium constitutes about 2% of the Earth’s crust.
- In seawater, it reigns as the most plentiful element and is also discovered in underground brines and salty layers.
- Following aluminum and iron, magnesium claims the status of the third most abundant structural metal in the Earth’s crust.
- Magnesium occurs exclusively in nature when combined with other elements.
- Typically displaying an oxidation state of +2, magnesium can be artificially prepared, and numerous magnesium alloys find application for various purposes.
Physical Properties of Magnesium
- Shiny gray metal
- Low density
- Low melting point
- High chemical reactivity
Occurrence
- Found naturally only in combination with other elements
- Belongs to group 2 (alkaline earth metals) in the periodic table
- Typically has an oxidation state of +2
Reactivity
- Reacts readily with air, forming a thin passivation coating of magnesium oxide.
- This coating inhibits further corrosion of the metal.
- The free metal burns with a brilliant-white light.
Extraction
- Mainly obtained by electrolysis of magnesium salts from brine
Cosmic Origin
- Produced in large, aging stars by the sequential addition of three helium nuclei to a carbon nucleus
- Released into the interstellar medium during supernova explosions
Abundance on Earth
- Eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
- The fourth most common element in the Earth, making up 13% of the planet’s mass.
- The third most abundant element is dissolved in seawater, after sodium and chlorine.
Biological Importance
- Eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body
- Essential to all cells and approximately 300 enzymes
- Magnesium ions interact with polyphosphate compounds such as ATP, DNA, and RNA
- Hundreds of enzymes require magnesium ions to function
Uses of Magnesium
Medicinal Uses
- Used in medicinal compounds such as laxatives and antacids (e.g., milk of magnesia)
- Utilized to stabilize abnormal nerve excitation or blood vessel spasm in conditions like eclampsia.
- Magnesium finds significant applications in the field of medicine, being utilized to treat various conditions such as skin-related problems, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and mania, and aiding in recovery after surgery.
- In terms of dietary sources, green leafy vegetables emerge as excellent providers of magnesium. Whole grains, seeds, and nuts, particularly almonds, also serve as noteworthy contributors to magnesium intake.
- Interestingly, magnesium is not limited to medicinal and dietary realms; it plays a role in photography as well. Flashbulbs contain magnesium, and when ignited, it produces a brilliant light. This luminosity assists photographers in capturing images in low-light conditions or even complete darkness.
Related Elements 👇
| Hydrogen | Nickel | Neon | Potassium |
| Helium | Copper | Sodium | Calcium |
| Lithium | Zinc | Cobalt | Scandium |
| Beryllium | Gallium | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Boron | Germanium | Silicon | Vanadium |
| Carbon | Arsenic | Phosphorus | Chromium |
| Nitrogen | Selenium | Sulfur | Manganese |
| Oxygen | Bromine | Chlorine | Sulfur |
| Fluorine | Krypton | Argon |
