What is Magnesium: Definition and 81 Discussions

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table: all group 2 elements have the same electron configuration in the outer electron shell and a similar crystal structure.
This element is produced in large, aging stars from the sequential addition of three helium nuclei to a carbon nucleus. When such stars explode as supernovas, much of the magnesium is expelled into the interstellar medium where it may recycle into new star systems. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and the fourth most common element in the Earth (after iron, oxygen and silicon), making up 13% of the planet's mass and a large fraction of the planet's mantle. It is the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater, after sodium and chlorine.Magnesium occurs naturally only in combination with other elements, where it invariably has a +2 oxidation state. The free element (metal) can be produced artificially, and is highly reactive (though in the atmosphere it is soon coated in a thin layer of oxide that partly inhibits reactivity – see passivation). The free metal burns with a characteristic brilliant-white light. The metal is now obtained mainly by electrolysis of magnesium salts obtained from brine, and is used primarily as a component in aluminium-magnesium alloys, sometimes called magnalium or magnelium. Magnesium is less dense than aluminium, and the alloy is prized for its combination of lightness and strength.
This element is the eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body and is essential to all cells and some 300 enzymes. Magnesium ions interact with polyphosphate compounds such as ATP, DNA, and RNA. Hundreds of enzymes require magnesium ions to function. Magnesium compounds are used medicinally as common laxatives, antacids (e.g., milk of magnesia), and to stabilize abnormal nerve excitation or blood vessel spasm in such conditions as eclampsia.

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  1. S

    Can a rise in sunlight exposure cause magnesium depletion?

    I have recently learned that taking vitamin D supplements can cause a dip in magnesium, because Mg is used as a cofactor to process the vitamin. Does this apply to a sudden lifestyle change from very little exposure to lots of exposure to sunlight? (I am asking this as a purely theoretical...
  2. I

    Magnesium bisglycinate + citric acid = ?

    Hello, I have a question or two that I need help with: What happens when you put magnesium bisglycinate and citric acid into water solution? Does magnesium change form here? Kind regards, IN
  3. hilbert2

    Reactive metal wires in a fuel oxidizer mixture

    Suppose there's some slow burning pyrotechnic mixture like KNO##_3## with powdered charcoal, and several really thin threads/wires of magnesium metal (or zirconium or magnesium/aluminum alloy) are made go through a pile of that mixture. Now I would guess that because a mixture of finely powdered...
  4. Gaccoon

    Question about anhydrous magnesium sulfate

    I'm wondering if there is any way to compress anhydrous magnesium sulfate into a tablet to slaw a chemical reaction in water.
  5. J

    What is the heat of combustion of 1 kg carbon dioxide w/ magnesium?

    I am trying to find out the heat of combustion of one kilogram of carbon dioxide with magnesium. I am looking for results for stochiometric conditions of these two reactants. I have found the following equation online 2 Mg(s) + CO2 ---> 2 MgO(s) + C(s) yields a standard enthalpy of --810.1...
  6. Mridul Tripathi

    Method to check the percentage purity of Magnesium chloridehexahydrate

    In first attempt i flashed the solution with the hot HCl vapours and then fractionation was done to remove the TMB(tri methyl benzene) + THF the bottom was MgCl2 and some of the TMB +THF then i washed the solution with 30% HCl + acidic water,since Magnesium chloride is highly soluble in water at...
  7. trurle

    Pidgeon process for the Moon base ISRU?

    I am evaluating the possibility what magnesium may be the most-easily obtainable structural material on Moon. The following ISRU sequence is proposed: 1) Regolith melt electrolysis produce ingots made of ferro-silicon, as by-product of breathable oxygen production 2) Ferro-silicon ingots are...
  8. chemisthypnos

    Is neodymium powder as strong of a magnet as solid neodymium

    In attempting to make magnetized neodymium powder, I grinded neodymium magnets into a powderusing a belt sander. However, I found that the magnetic properties of the neodymium had decreased substantially. It would appear that any attempt to grind the magnets into a powder using this method seems...
  9. T

    How does mechanical torque affect generator volts and amps?

    Hello! today I have a question regarding the most efficient way to generate electricity by moving a magnet across a coil. The theoretical magnet would be moving in a circular motion fixed to the outer circumference of a driver wheel like in many simple generators, how does the physical torque...
  10. S

    Best anode materials for water-based hydrogen generator?

    I want also to build electrolysis based hydrogen generator or and water oxygenator/aerator. It's simple electrolysis device but requires special electrodes that are corrosion resistant or at least safe for human consumption. I seen that hydrogen bottles use platinum titanium electrodes. Platinum...
  11. J

    Magnesium Carbonates Reaction Under Various Test?

    Homework Statement If you had a solution of Magnesium carbonate, what results would you expect from the following four tests: Precipitation Test, Flame Test, Benedicts Reagents Test, Dilute Acid Test. Could someone take a look at my reasoning to how the Magnesium Carbonate would react under...
  12. T

    Eddy Current Speedometer Experiment

    Trying to create an experiment that utilizes a motor driven shaft to measure the angular velocity of another shaft via eddy currents. We made a mock experiment that uses 8mm shafts, pillow bearings, and ceramic magnets from home depot, but don't see a torque on a non-ferrous metal attached to a...
  13. J

    What is the net charge on a magnesium ion after losing two electrons?

    Homework Statement Calculate the net charge on a magnesium ion which has lost two electrons. 2. The attempt at a solution I put 2+ as my answer and this is what I was told, but I don't understand what they mean by the following; That's a chemist's shorthand, not the amount of charge on the...
  14. C

    What is the direction of the current in the given image?

    Homework Statement In the picture 20.40, what is the direction of the current induced in the resistor at the instant the switch is closed.[/B]Homework Equations Right hand rules- Point thumb in direction of current and your fingers will curl in direction of magnetic field. Lenz's law. The...
  15. R

    Analyzing Oxygen Ratios in Magnesium Oxide Lab Reactions

    So in my experiment we combusted Magnesium ribbon to form Magnesium oxide. These were the reactions: Mg(s) + N2(g) + O2(g) → MgO(s) + Mg3N2(s) MgO(s) + Mg3N2(s) + H2O(l) → MgO(s) + Mg(OH)2(s) + NH3(g) MgO(s) + Mg(OH)2(s) → MgxOy(s) + H2O(g)...
  16. N

    Can a Metal Ball Levitate Using an Electromagnet?

    Hi guys, I am trying to produce a desktop feature for a client which consists of a 3d printed cube with a metal ball at its center. I can suspend the ball in the center of the cube using a support or piece of rod, but I would really like to try and make it levitate using an electromagnet. I...
  17. E

    Why does magnesium carbonate have no flame color?

    I've read that magnesium traditionally has a bright white flame. When I performed a flame test on magnesium carbonate in lab, there was no color change to the flame. Why is this?
  18. B

    Magnesium salt of EDTA is the same as EDTA-2NaMg?

    I was reading through the standard complexiometric method of determining hardness in water, and the procedure mentioned the use of the magnesium salt of EDTA. I looked up online to purchase this reagent but all I could find was disodium magnesium salt of EDTA. Are they one and the same? Thanks!
  19. A

    Exploring Enthalpy: Magnesium Reactivity in Hydrochloric Acid Lab Results

    I just conducted a lab in which I am testing varying amounts of magnesium to react with a consistent amount of hydrochloric acid, determining which amount of magnesium produces a reaction whose enthalpy is the closest to the theoretical/ideal enthalpy of this equation. I created 3 conditions...
  20. larry909

    Test for Magnesium: Identifying Vitamin Capsules

    I have a bottle with some vitamin capsules that got mixed up with other vitamins and I can't remember what it is but I'm almost sure it's magnesium. Is there a test I can do like drop the powder of the capsule into some kind of liquid and I would be able to tell if it's magnesium?
  21. H

    Solution of magnesium sulfate?

    I would like to make a solution of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) that is 15% magnesium sulfate by mass in water. As magnesium sulfate is sold as epsom salts which is MgSO4 7H2O I need a way to calculated the epsom salts required for the required magnesium sulfate or 1.24 pounds per gallon of water...
  22. S

    Particle Theory - Magnesium - Hydrochloric Acid

    How will increasing the molar of HCl and dissolving magnesium in it, relate to particle theory
  23. L

    Why Do Two Wires Carrying Currents in the Same Direction Attract Each Other?

    Homework Statement two proton beams going in same direction repel each other whereas two wires carrying currents in same direction attract each other Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution two proton going in same direction then it makes two current going in same direction. And current...
  24. Priyank

    Corrosion of Magnesium: Reaction & Description

    1. In my Homework, the teacher gave me the project to collect the sample of corroded magnesium (pure metal, and not an alloy) and write a detailed description about the process related to it. 2. Although I collected the corroded sample, yet I am unable to write its description. What I know...
  25. Y

    Drawing the Zeeman Spectrum in Magnesium

    Homework Statement A zeeman experience is made in the transition 3s4s ## ^3S_1## -> 3s3p ##^3P_2## in Magnesium with a magnetic field of 2Teslas (20 000 Gauss). With no magnetic field the emission occurs in 518.360nm. a) Draw the spectrum of what you hoped you observe when you're watching the...
  26. M

    How to test a 1.5 pound magnesium anode

    Hello my name is Mike Moore and I work for Copperhead Industries, LLC We are a tracer wire manufacture for the underground non-metallic pipe utility sector, natural gas, water, sewer and telecom. We use magnesium anodes for grounding out the far end of the tracer wire system which completes...
  27. X

    Magnesium Reacting With Acids, molar enthelpy

    Mg(s) + 2HCl (aq) --> H2(g) + MgCl2(aq) + heatMg (s) + H2SO4(aq) --> H2 (g) + MgSO4 (aq) + heatMg(s) + 2C2H4O2(aq) --> H2 (g) + Mg(C2H3O2)2 (aq) + heat Which reaction will produce the great molar enthalpy and which the least? Why?
  28. M

    Magnesium Pencil Sharpeners: Is It All Magnesium?

    As you may know , some pencil sharpeners are made from magnesium(the case).Now what I want to know is are they all made from magnesium? Near my house there are only these ones for sale.I got one and tested it with some vinegar.What hapened is that layer of it started peeling off.After the...
  29. mesa

    Looking for HK31A alloy, mag-thor (Mg Th, Magnesium Thorium).

    I am trying to locate HK31A (magnesium thorium alloy) for a research project. I have tried my usual suppliers but they came up empty handed. Calls were then placed to the major magnesium alloy manufacturers (e.g. Magnesium Elektron) but to no avail. Upon further investigation the manufacturers...
  30. R

    Effects of Magnesium in Ductile Iron

    Hi Everyone, i was wondering about how graphite flakes formed in Grey cast iron, and how Nodular or Spheroidal graphite formed in Ductile iron, and also how magnesium enhanced the spheroidal formation of graphite in Ductile iron, please elaborate your explanation (you may answer it in terms of...
  31. S

    Magnesium in concentrated and dilute saltwater

    Hello This is more of a chemistry question but I would like to know how a piece of magnesium will react with concentrained and delute saltwater, and what will be the products in each case? Please help, I cannot find any complete info on the web
  32. D

    Magnesium in hydrochloric acid solution.

    I am confused as to why this happens when magnesium is introduced into a hydrochloric acid solution: $$2HCl_(aq) + Mg(s) \rightarrow H_2(g) + MgCl_2(aq)$$ I understand that the magnesium will form an ionic bond with chlorine and then quickly dissolve. However, I don't understand why the hydrogen...
  33. S

    Magnesium Chloride: Extracting Food Grade from Industrial

    Is there any method to extract food grade magnesium chloride from industrial magnesium chloride?
  34. z.js

    Galvanic Cell Plating of Iron & Magnesium on Copper: What Use is it?

    I was thinking of plating iron or magnesium on to copper with a galvanic cell. Would this work? 3Cu(s) + 2Fe2+(aq) --> 3Cu2+(aq) + 2Fe(s) Cu(s) + Mg2+(aq) --> Cu2+(aq) + Mg(s) In the cathode, when the Cu turns into Cu2+ and makes Cu(OH)2, of what use is it? And in the anode, when the O2-...
  35. S

    Need help determining the molar enthelpy of Magnesium with HCl

    Picture to show more clearly: http://i.imgur.com/JmARtQM.png 1. Homework Statement What is the molar enthalpy of combustion ΔH(c) of magnesium? Mg(s) + 2HC(aq) → H2(g) + MgCl2(aq) MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → H2O(l) + MgCl2(aq) m(Mg) = 0.5 g m(MgO) = 1.0 g V(HCl) = 100.0 mL C(HCl) = 1.0 mol/L...
  36. D

    Food labels - No magnesium mentioned

    Recently I've been looking for foods rich in magnesium to experiment with personal nutrition. Although I had found several sources that sited the rich magnesium content of black beans, when I found several brands of the beans at the store, I noticed none of the nutritional labels mentioned...
  37. M

    Why is magnesium an NMDA antagonist?

    The NMDA receptor is a ligand gated non selective cation channel. It allows Na+ and to a lesser extent Ca2+ and K+ to pass through. I read that Mg2+ clogs up the pore. Why would Mg2+ block the channel but not Ca2+? Ca2+ is larger so I'd expect that to be more likely to block an ion channel. Is...
  38. J

    Is magnesium hydrogencarbonate commonly found in lab?

    Homework Statement Hi,there is a question from my textbook: Name FOUR substances commonly found in the laboratory to prepare magnesium sulphate by reacting with dilute sulphuric acid. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Here is my answer: Mg(OH)2,MgO,MgCO3,Mg(HCO3)2...
  39. G

    Calculating Fermi Energy for Magnesium

    Homework Statement Calculate the Fermi energy for magnesium, assuming two free electrons per atom. Homework Equations {E_F} = \frac{{{\hbar ^2}}}{{2m}}{(3{\pi ^2}\rho )^{2/3}}, where \rho = q\frac{N}{V} and q is the number of free electrons. The Attempt at a Solution q = 2, so...
  40. M

    Nitric acid and magnesium reaction, slow gas production

    Homework Statement I need to work out what is happening with the above reaction. Why is my data showing a very slow hydrogen gas production rate (if it even is hydrogen gas), in fact, even slower than the production of hydrogen gas from the reaction of magnesium and ethanoic acid. All acids...
  41. M

    How to determine strong acids when reacting with magnesium?

    Homework Statement I have to design a lab which will determine nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acid from containers A, B and C - i.e. It is unknown which acid is held in which container. This has to be done by reacting the unknown acids with magnesium Homework Equations Mg + 2H(+) →...
  42. J

    Corrosion Tests on Magnesium

    Hi all, So a little background. I am currently trying to characterize corrosion rates of AZ31B Magnesium [Mg-3%Al-1%Zn] which would be used as an implant within the coronary artery. Currently I'm running a static test of the magnesium in 0.9% NaCl(saline) in an incubator @37C. Im...
  43. C

    Reaction between magnesium and oxygen

    Today in class my chem teacher was insistent that 2Mg + O2 = 2MgO was a synthesis reaction. this I agree with. however, he was also adamant that this was not a combustion reaction, when it our textbook it specifically gave us this very same example as a type of combustion reaction. Question: is...
  44. N

    Chemistry How do you find the enthelphy change per mole of magnesium?

    Homework Statement In this calorimetry experiment, O.5 grams of magnesium is dissolved in 100.0 ml (100.0g) of diluted HCL (0.1mol/L) at an initial temperature of 29.50 C. The final temperature is 46.18 C. Q: Calculate the enthalpy change per mole of magnesium. Homework Equations...
  45. D

    Need Help Calculating Energy Required to Raise Magnesium Temp

    Any help on this quistion would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea ho to answere it, and can't find anything in my nothes or books anywhere. The temperature-dependent molar specific heat capacity at constant pressure of many substances is given by: c =a+2bT−cT^−2 For magnesium, the...
  46. D

    Calculating the Energy Needed to Heat Magnesium: A Challenge!

    Any help on this quistion would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea ho to answere it, and can't find anything in my nothes or books anywhere. The temperature-dependent molar specific heat capacity at constant pressure of many substances is given by: c =a+2bT−cT^−2 For magnesium, the...
  47. N

    Stearic acid / magnesium stearate in vitamins? Is it safe to consume?

    Does stearic acid do bad things for the human body? Apparently stearic acid is in most vitamins if you take vitamins, it says it in the ingredient list, most people until now it seems did not even know that it is bad for you, but no other article anywhere else on the web says this except for one...
  48. X

    Magnesium ion entering a mass spectrometer. find r

    Homework Statement A magnesium ion (Mg 2+) traveling at 60000 m/s enters a mass spectrometer with a magnetic field intensity of 800T. Calculate the radius of deflection forthe magnesium ion. 800T = |B| 24.31g/mol = m 60000 m/s = v 1.66* 10^-27= Atomic mass unit r=? Homework Equations r=...
  49. C

    Acid-Base Reaction: Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium Oxide Formula

    Homework Statement When acid and metal oxide react the product is salt and water. Homework Equations Write the reaction formula, when hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium oxide The Attempt at a Solution Hcl and MgO 2 Hcl + MgO ------> 2H2O+ MgCl I still find it not...
  50. S

    Buy or make magnesium (local only)

    Hey guys, I'm on a bit of a time crunch here, I have to have everything buy Wednesday (10/27). I've been asked to give a presentation on food in the classroom at a meeting on Wednesday. What I normally like to do is a demonstration involving a Flameless heater. I just use the same technique...
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