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The
chemical element magnesium has the symbol Mg and atomic number 12.
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Sir
Humphry Davy was the first to isolate magnesium in England, in 1808,
calling it 'magnium'. While Antoine Bussy first prepared magnesium in a
consistent form in 1831.
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Magnesium
is an alkaline earth metal. While it is not present in a free pure form its
compounds are found in large deposits as magnesite, dolomite and other
minerals.
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Magnesium
is the 8th most abundant element in the Earth's crust and after iron,oxygen and silicon it
is the 4th most common element in the Earth as a whole making up 13% of our
planet's mass.
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Elemental
magnesium is a light, fairly strong, silvery-white metal that tarnishes
slightly when exposed to air.
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Magnesium
has a melting point of 1,994 °F (1,090 °C) and a boiling point of 1,202 °F
(650 °C).
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When
in a powdered or thinly shaved form magnesium is highly flammable, burning
with a brilliant-white flame. The metal is more difficult to ignite as a
large mass.
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Once
ignited, magnesium is extremely difficult to extinguish. Attempting to put
out the fire using water produces hydrogen, which only intensifies it.
Magnesium also burns in both pure nitrogen and pure carbon dioxide,
so a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher will feed the flames too. The most
effective way to stop it burning is by using a dry chemical fire
extinguisher, or covering it with sand.
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Magnesium's
bright and quick lighting flame has made it useful in products such as
flashlight photography, flares and pyrotechnics.
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China produces
around 80% of the worlds magnesium supply.
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After
iron and aluminium, magnesium is the 3rd most commonly used structural metal
due to its lightness.
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Magnesium
can be compared with aluminium, but being a third lighter than aluminium
makes it useful in alloys that are used in the construction of airplanes and
missiles.
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Automobile
manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, and Mitsubishi have
all dabbled in using magnesium in engine components.
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Because
of its good mechanical and electrical properties and lightness, magnesium is
useful in the manufacturing of electronic devices such as mobile phones,
laptops and cameras.
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Specialty
car wheels called 'mag wheels' got there name due to the use of magnesium in
their construction. However, today mag wheels no longer include magnesium
they are mainly made of aluminium.
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Magnesium
compounds, mainly magnesium oxide (MgO) are used in the manufacturing,
agricultural, chemical, and construction industries.
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Magnesium
is the 11th most common element in the human body with around 60% found in
the skeleton and 39% found in the muscle cells.
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Magnesium
rich foods include spices, nuts, cereals, coffee, cocoa, tea, and leafy green
vegetables like spinach.
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