Why is this element important in everyday life?
This element is important in everyday life because it is used in flash photography, structural alloys, pyrotechnics, incendiary bombs and signal flares. It is also used in castings for airplane parts, artificial limbs, vacuum cleaners and optical instruments.
Magnesium forms various compounds used as heat-resistant and insulation materials; in paper manufacture; in cements and ceramics; in effervescent beverages; as the laxatives called milk o magnesia; and in sugar refining.
Where is this element found in nature?
it occurs in nature only in chemical combination with other elements, particularly in the minerals carnallite, dolomite, and magnesite; and as salts in ocean and salt lake waters.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Magnesium is a silvery-white metallic element. It is moderately hard that in ribbon or powder form burns with a brilliant white flame.
Atomic Symbol = Mg
Period Number = 3
Group Number and Family Name = Group 2 Alkaline-Earth Metals
Atomic Number = 12
Atomic Mass = 24.305
Density =1.74(g/cm3
Melting Point = 649°C
Boiling Point = 1090°C
Electron Configuration = 1s22s22p63s2
Shorthand Notation =[Ne]3s2
Common Reactions = Reacts with oxygen and emits a brilliant white light.
Interesting Information = Magnesium is essential to animal and plant tissue.
Who is Magnesium ?
Jenny Jones: "Welcome to my show everyone. Today we are having a fantastic, one of a kind, guest. You have probably heard about this guest but you don't realize how much she is in your everyday life. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome Mrs. MAGNESIUM!!"
Magnesium: "Hello everyone..hi Jenny…thanks for having me today…I'm very honored to be on your show.
Jenny Jones: "No..it's my pleasure Magnesium. I have a few questions for you Mrs. Magnesium do you mind answering them?
Magnesium: "No, not at all.."
Jenny Jones: "It is rumored that you and oxygen tend to get into pretty heavy fights…is this true?"
Magnesium: "Well…yes it is. Usually it's under pretty hot conditions (1472°F)"
Jenny Jones: "You heard it from Mrs. Magnesium herself…I hear it is quite a blowout?"
Magnesium: "Yes…a brilliant white light…it's really a very pretty site!"
Jenny Jones: "Yes…it sure sounds so. Do you help people in everyday life?"
Magnesium: " Well actually I am found in only very low levels in the blood. I am mostly found inside the body's cells, where I am the second most abundant positively charged particle. I play a critical role in the function of various cellular enzymes."
Jenny Jones: "So you are very important to us then?"
Magnesium: "Well…if I do say so….yes I am quite important."
Jenny Jones: "There you go folks…thanks for coming today Mrs. Magnesium…you were a pleasure.."
Magnesium: "You're welcome…thanks for having me!
