THE BEECHMONT CREST SCIENCE ZONE
LEARNING THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
Magnesium
Name origin: named for ancient Magnesia, in Thessaly, Greece
Symbol: Mg
Atomic number: 12
Atomic weight: 24.305
- Magnesium is a lightweight metal. It is abundant in the crust of the earth.
- Magnesium is the eight most abundant element in the universe.
- Magnesium is highly reactive. It is often used to reduce other metals from salt and oxide compounds.
- Magnesium is used in industrial and commercial applications. Its use as a structural material is limited, however, as magnesium is flammable at high temperatures.
- Magnesium is a member of the Group IIA metals, also known as alkaline-earth metals.
