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   Mg

MAGNESIUM

(Magnesia, district in Thessaly)

Mg at. wt. 24.312
   at. no. 12
   m.p. 651°C
   b.p. 1107°C 
   sp. gr. 1.738 (20°C) 
   valence 2
Electronic configuration
 SHELL  K L M N O P Q
 SUB  SHELL He Neon Argon Krypton Xenon Radon Eka-radon
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 4p 4d 5s 5p 4f 5d 6s 6p 5f 6d 7s 7p
Magnesium 1s22s22p63s2        
Symbol 1S0
Magnesium Compounds of magnesium have long been known. Black recognized magnesium as an element in 1755. It was isolated by Davy in 1808, and prepared in coherent form by Bussy in 1831. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust. It does not occur uncombined, but is found in large deposits in the form of magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals. The metal is now principally obtained in the U.S. by electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride derived from brines, from wells and from sea water. Magnesium is a light, silvery white, and fairly tough metal. It tarnishes slightly in air, and finely divided magnesium readily ignites upon heating in air and burns with a d~ing white flame. It is used in flash-light photography, flares, and pyrotechnics, including incendiary bombs. It is one third lighter than aluminum, and in alloys is essential for airplane and missile construction. The metal improves the mechanical, fabrication, and welding charac- teristics of aluminum, when used as an alloying agent. Magnesium is used in producing nodular graphite in cast iron, and is used as an additive to conventional propellants. It is also used as a reducing agent in the production of pure uranium and other metals from their salts. The hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), chloride, sulfate (Epsom salts), and citrate are used in medicine. Dead-burned magnesite is em- ployed for refractory purposes, such as brick and liners in furnaces and converters. Organic magnesium compounds (Grignard's reaction) are important. Magnesium is an im- portant element in both plant and animal life. Chlorophylls are magnesium-centered porphyrins. The adult daily re- quirement of magnesium is about 300 mgrn./day, but-this is affected by various factors. Great care should be taken in handling magnesium metal, especially in the finely divided state, as serious fires can occur. Water should not be used on burning magnesium or on magnesium fires.

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