Manganese

Properties
Atomic symbol |  Mn
Atomic number |  25
Classification |  Transition metal
Atomic mass |  54.938 amu
Number of Stable Isotopes |  1
Density (grams per cc) |  7.440 g/cm^3
Other Information
Date of discovery |  1774
Name of discoverer |  Johann Gahn
Name origin |  From the Latin word mangnes (magnet)
Uses |  Steel, batteries, ceramics, coins, fertilizer and animal feed additives
Obtained from |  Pyrolusite, psilomelane, cryptomelane, manganite, rhodochrosite

Manganese is an element in the "transition metals" class of the periodic table. It is hard and brittle. It reacts (slowly) with water, and with acids.

Manganese was discovered by Johann Gahn in 1774 by heating pyrolusite with charcoal in a blast furnace.

Manganese is used in small amounts to change the propeties of steel and other useful alloys.

It is remarkable in all the other metals in that it is formed by the radioactive breakdown of magnesium isotopes, yet is still found in sufficient quantities to be useful in common, everyday processes and materials. Manganese is found in pyrolusite (magnesium) ore along with magnesium, and the two are separated in a process similar to that of iron in a blast furnace, due to their significantly different melting points (one melts and is tapped off while the other remains solid; this is then melted and tapped off). It can also be found in pure manganese ore, where all the magnesium has decomposed. These deposits, however, are scarce.

Periodic Table of the Elements

1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18

1.008

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

4.003

6.939

9.0122

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

10.811

12.011

14.007

15.999

18.998

10.183

22.99

24.312

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

26.982

28.086

30.974

32.064

35.453

39.948

39.102

40.08

44.956

47.9

50.942

51.996

54.938

55.847

58.933

58.71

63.546

65.37

69.72

72.59

74.922

78.96

79.904

83.8

85.47

87.62

88.905

91.22

92.906

95.94

[97]

101.07

102.91

106.4

107.87

112.4

114.82

118.69

121.75

127.6

126.9

131.3

132.91

137.34

57*

138.91

178.49

180.95

183.85

186.2

190.2

192.2

195.09

196.97

200.59

204.37

207.19

208.98

210

210

222

215

226.03

89**

227.03

104

[261]

105

[262]

106

[266]

107

[264]

108

[265]

109

[268]

110

[271]

111

[272]

112

[277]

113

[284]

114

[289]

115

[288]

116

[292]

117

[293]

118

[294]

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
*Lanthanides  |

140.12

140.91

144.24

145

150.35

151.96

157.25

158.92

162.5

164.93

167.26

168.93

173.04

174.97

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
**Actinides  |

232.04

231

238.03

237.05

239.05

241.06

244.06

249.08

252.08

252.08

100

257.1

101

258.1

102

259.1

103

262.11

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |