Magnesium
12
Mg
Group
2
Period
3
Block
s
Protons
Electrons
Neutrons
12
12
12
General Properties
Atomic Number
12
Atomic Weight
24.305
Mass Number
24
Category
Alkaline earth metals
Color
Silver
Radioactive
No
From Magnesia, district in Thessaly
Crystal Structure
Simple Hexagonal
History
Scottish chemist Joseph Black recognized magnesium as an element in 1755.
Magnesium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808, in London.
He used electrolysis on a mixture of magnesia and mercuric oxide.
Antoine Bussy prepared it in coherent form in 1831.
Magnesium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808, in London.
He used electrolysis on a mixture of magnesia and mercuric oxide.
Antoine Bussy prepared it in coherent form in 1831.
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 2
Electron Configuration
[Ne] 3s2
When it burns in air, magnesium produces a brilliant white light
Physical Properties
Phase
Solid
Density
1.738 g/cm3
Melting Point
923.15 K | 650 °C | 1202 °F
Boiling Point
1363.15 K | 1090 °C | 1994 °F
Heat of Fusion
8.7 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization
128 kJ/mol
Specific Heat Capacity
1.023 J/g·K
Abundance in Earth's crust
2.9%
Abundance in Universe
0.06%
CAS Number
7439-95-4
PubChem CID Number
5462224
Atomic Properties
Atomic Radius
160 pm
Covalent Radius
141 pm
Electronegativity
1.31 (Pauling scale)
Ionization Potential
7.6462 eV
Atomic Volume
13.97 cm3/mol
Thermal Conductivity
1.56 W/cm·K
Oxidation States
1, 2
Applications
Magnesium is widely used in the manufacturing of mobile phones, laptop computers, cameras, and other electronic components.
The brilliant light it produces when ignited is made use of in photography, flares, pyrotechnics and incendiary bombs.
Magnesium compounds such as the hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sulfate (Epsom salts), chloride and citrate are used for medicinal purposes.
The brilliant light it produces when ignited is made use of in photography, flares, pyrotechnics and incendiary bombs.
Magnesium compounds such as the hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sulfate (Epsom salts), chloride and citrate are used for medicinal purposes.
Because serious fires can occur, great care should be taken in handling magnesium metal
Isotopes
Stable Isotopes
24Mg, 25Mg, 26MgUnstable Isotopes
19Mg, 20Mg, 21Mg, 22Mg, 23Mg, 27Mg, 28Mg, 29Mg, 30Mg, 31Mg, 32Mg, 33Mg, 34Mg, 35Mg, 36Mg, 37Mg, 38Mg, 39Mg, 40Mg