Magnesium (Mg)
"The White Flame, a brilliantly bright hero who is lightweight but surprisingly strong."
A memorable persona to anchor Mg in your mind.
1.738
Grams per cm³
650
Celsius (°C)
173
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The dazzlingly bright sparklers and fireworks on celebration nights.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1755
Discovered By
Joseph Black
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from Magnesia, a district of Eastern Thessaly in Greece."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
24.305 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
1090°C
Electron Configuration
[Ne] 3s2
1st Ionization Energy
7.646 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A shiny, silvery-white, and lightweight metal."
Did You Know?
When ignited, magnesium burns with a blindingly brilliant white light, which is why it's used in flares, fireworks, and early camera flashes.
It is the central element in the chlorophyll molecule of plants, making it essential for photosynthesis.
Magnesium is the lightest of all structural metals, making it valuable for creating strong, lightweight alloys for cars and airplanes.
Your body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, with over half of it stored in your skeleton.