What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (Group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table: all group 2 elements have the same electron configuration in their outermost shell, resulting in similar chemistry. As the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, magnesium is never found as a free element, but only in combination with other elements, such as in magnesium compounds like magnesium oxide (MgO).

What is magnesium?

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (Group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table: all group 2 elements have the same electron configuration in the outermost electron shell and are thus similarly affected by chemical reactions. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in Earth’s crust and the fourth most common element in the Earth as a whole, making up 13% of the planet’s mass.

Magnesium has many biochemical roles in living organisms. For example, magnesium is essential for energy production, muscular contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. Magnesium ion is naturally found in water (it is the third most abundant dissolved ion after sodium and chlorine), making it an important component of oceanic chemistry.

Magnesium Boiling Point

Magnesium has a boiling point of 1,094 degrees Celsius. This makes it one of the most reactive metals on the periodic table. Magnesium is used in fireworks and flares because of its high boiling point.

Magnesium Melting Point

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table: all group 2 elements have two valence electrons in the outermost s-orbital. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and tenth in cosmic abundance.

Magnesium has a melting point of 651°C (1,224°F), which is relatively low for an elemental metal. This low melting point is due to the fact that magnesium atoms are relatively small and have little interaction with each other. When heated, magnesium atoms can easily move around and slip past each other, leading to a liquid state.

Where is magnesium found?

Magnesium is found throughout the universe, but especially in stars. In our solar system, it is the eighth most abundant element. On Earth, magnesium is found in large deposits in minerals such as dolomite and talc. It is also found in seawater and in some hot springs.

Conclusion

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (Group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table: all Group 2 elements have the same electron configuration in their outermost electron shell producing a similar crystal structure. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in Earth’s crust and the fourth most common element in the Earth as a whole, making up 13% of its mass.