Magnesium

Properties
Atomic symbol |  Mg
Atomic number |  12
Classification |  Alkaline Earth
Atomic mass |  24.305 amu
Number of Stable Isotopes |  3
Density (grams per cc) |  1.738 g/cm^3
Other Information
Date of discovery |  1808
Name of discoverer |  Sir Humphrey Davy
Name origin |  Magnesia (city in Thessaly, Greece)
Uses |  lightweight alloys
Obtained from |  Dolomite, magnesite, carnallite, kieserite, sea water

Magnesium is an element that has the symbol Mg and atomic number 12\. It is in the "alkaline earth" column of the periodic table.

It is somewhat soft, and very light. When finely divided, it burns with a brilliant white light. It is used in fireworks, was formerly used in photographic flash bulbs, and was used in flash powder before that. It is also used in very light alloys in aircraft and missiles, in lens coatings, and as an electrolytic (galvanic) protector of other metals.

Magnesium was identified as an element in 1755 by Joseph Black, and isolated in 1808 by Sir Humphrey Davy, by electrolysis.

Magnesium plays an important biological role, being used by the body to help maintain muscles, nerves, and bones. It is also used in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

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

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