The element was first isolated by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1808. Scottish chemist Joseph Black first demonstrated in 1755 that the substance magnesia alba was a compound of different elements, one of them being magnesium. It is used to make proteins, strong bones, and to regulate the body's temperature. The human body needs magnesium for good health. Some compounds are used as medicines such as magnesium hydroxide which used to help indigestion (Milk of Magnesia) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) which is used in baths to soothe sore muscles. Its light weight and good electrical properties make it a good element for use in cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, and other handheld electronic components.Īnother application of magnesium is in various compounds. Magnesium metal is also used in electronic components. It is often mixed with aluminum, zinc, manganese, silicon, and copper to make strong and light alloys for use as automobile parts, aircraft components, and missiles. This is because it is both strong and light. One of the main uses of magnesium metal is in metal alloys. A lot of commercial magnesium used in the United States comes from a process using electrolysis to extract it from sea water. In ocean water it takes the form of the cation Mg 2+. The compound magnesium oxide (MgO) is the second most abundant compound in the Earth's crust making up around 35% of the crust by weight.Ī significant amount of Magnesium is also found dissolved in ocean water. Some of the most important minerals include dolomite, magnesite, talc, and carnallite. Magnesium is fairly abundant on Earth in compounds and is found in over 60 different minerals in the Earth's crust. At one time magnesium powder was used to produce a bright flash for photography. Magnesium burns with a very bright white light. If submerged in water, you will see gas bubbles start to form. When coming into contact with water, magnesium will react and produce hydrogen gas. When exposed to air, magnesium will tarnish and become protected by a thin layer of oxide. In standard conditions magnesium is a light metal with a silvery-white color. There are two valence electrons in the outer shell. Magnesium atoms have 12 electrons and 12 protons. It is the eighth most abundant element on Earth. Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal and is the second element located in the second row of the periodic table.
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