A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

40

Alkaline Earth Metals

This green, magnesium-rich

mineral forms deep underground.

Shiny, grey

cr ystallized form

Forms

Magnesium

Mg

12

Magnesium was named after Magnesia

in Greece. This element largely exists deep

inside Earth’s mantle, but it can also be found

in seawater and many minerals in our planet’s

crust, including serpentine. Another mineral,

dolomite, is also a source of pure magnesium.

Magnesium has many important applications.

Alloys of magnesium are not only strong, but

also lightweight, so are used in a range of

objects, from car wheels to cameras. For

centuries, many naturally occurring magnesium

minerals have been used in traditional medicines.

This ore is a

natural form

of magnesium

carbonate.

Ser pentine

Feather-like

appearance

Magnesium has

22 known

isotopes.

T

re

m

o

li

et

12 12 12

State: Solid

Discovery: 1755

of

p

ur

e^ m

agnesium

La

bo

rato

ry^ sample

D

ol

om

it

e

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