| Magnesium |
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| Atomic Number - | 12 | Melting Point (°C,°F) - | 650 °C, 1202 °F |
| Atomic Symbol - | Mg | Boiling Point (°C,°F) - | 1090 °C, 1994 °F |
| Atomic Mass - | 24.31 | Electron Configuration - | [Ne] 3s2 |
| Group - | 2 | Electrons Per Shell - | 2, 8, 2 |
| Period - | 3 | Protons - | 12 |
| Series - | Alkaline Earth Metals | Neutrons - | 12 |
| Block - | d-block | | |
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Element Description - Magnesium is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Mg and atomic number 12 and an atomic mass of 24.31. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element and constitutes about 2% of the Earth's crust by weight, and it is the third most plentiful element dissolved in seawater. This alkaline earth metal is primarily used as an alloying agent to make aluminium-magnesium alloys, sometimes called "magnalium" or "magnelium". |
Element Characteristics - Magnesium is a fairly strong, silvery-white, light-weight metal (one third lighter than aluminium) that slightly tarnishes when exposed to air, although unlike the alkaline metals, storage in an oxygen free environment is unnecessary. As a powder, this metal heats and ignites when exposed to moisture and burns with a white flame. It is difficult to ignite in bulk, though it is easy to light if it is shaved into thin strips. Once ignited, it is difficult to extinguish, being able to burn in both nitrogen (forming magnesium nitride), and carbon dioxide (forming magnesium oxide, MgO, and carbon). When a thin ribbon of magnesium metal is ignited and then plunged under water, it continues to burn until the metal ribbon is completely consumed. Magnesium, when it burns in air, produces a brilliant white light. This was used in the early days of photography when magnesium powder was used as a source of illumination (flash powder). Later, magnesium ribbon was used in electrically ignited flash bulbs. Magnesium powder is still used in the manufacture fireworks and marine flares where a brilliant white light is required. |
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