Magnesium Element Properties and Information
Magnesium Element Properties and Information:
Magnesium is twelfth element on the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table on the basis of the atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Magnesium has an atomic number of 12. It is located in the Group 2 and Period 3 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by Mg. The name is derived from the word ‘Magnesia’.
Joseph Black was the first person to recognize magnesium as an element in 1755. He was able to distinguish that oxide yielded by heating limestone is calcium oxide and the oxide yielded by heating magnesite is magnesium oxide although limestone and magnesite were similar kind of carbonate rocks.
Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in earth’s crust. It is mostly found in combined form only. Major deposits are found in minerals; dolomite and magnesite. Magnesium is the third most abundant element dissolved in sea water after sodium and chlorine.
Physical Properties:
- Elemental magnesium is grayish-white in colour.
- The atomic mass of magnesium is 24.305
- The melting point of magnesium is 650°C
- The boiling point of magnesium is 1107°C
- The density of magnesium is 1740 in S.I. units at 20°C
- Pure polycrystalline magnesium is quite brittle and gets easily fractured.
Chemical Properties:
- An oxide layer forms on the surface of magnesium when it is exposed to air.
- Magnesium reacts with water reversibly. The reaction is more vigorous if the magnesium is present in powdered form.
- Once magnesium is ignited then it is extremely difficult to extinguish it because it reacts exothermically with oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and as well as water.
- Magnesium reacts with haloalkanes to form Grignard reagents.
Methods of Production:
- Dow process: It is electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride with sea water or brine. A saline solution which is rich in magnesium ions is first treated with calcium oxide and the precipitated magnesium hydroxide is collected. The hydroxide is treated with hydrochloric acid to form a partial hydrate of magnesium chloride. The salt is then electrolyzed to reduce magnesium ions to magnesium at cathode.
- Silicothermic Pidgeon process: Magnesium oxide is reduced in high temperature with silicon. The process can be carried out with carbon also at 2300°C.
Relevance in Chemical and Related Industries:
- Organic industries: Magnesium is used in the form of ribbons or turnings to prepare Grignard reagents which are very useful for organic synthesis.
- Refractory materials: Magnesium oxide is used as refractory materials to produce iron, steel, glass and cement.
- Fertilizers: Magnesium salts are used in fertilizers.
- Sulfite process: Magnesium is used to make paper.
Relevance in Other Industries:
- Electronics industries: Magnesium is widely used to manufacture mobile phones, laptops, tablets, computers and cameras because magnesium is light in weight and has good mechanical and electrical properties.
- Sacrificial anodes: Magnesium is used as sacrifice galvanic anode to protect boats, underground tanks, pipelines, buried structures and water heaters.
Health Effects on Exposure:
- Flammable: Magnesium is highly flammable in pure form. It can cause severe burns if not handled properly.
- Powdered form: The powdered form of magnesium can enter into the body through mouth and cause irritation in mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. If it enters eyes then it gets embed in eyes and causes irritation.
Effects on Surroundings:
- Explosion: Magnesium in powdered form or ribbon form can get easily ignited. The burning magnesium cannot be extinguished by water, the reaction gets fueled by water as their contact produces hydrogen and hydrogen itself is very flammable.
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