58
Transition Metals
Like magnesium, this element gets its
name from the Greek region of Magnesia.
There are many manganese minerals, including
the colourful mineral rhodochrosite. The pure
form of the metal is obtained mainly from the
ore pyrolusite. Pure manganese is dense,
hard, and brittle. This element is present
in seawater as the compounds manganese
hydroxide and manganese oxide, which have
built up in layers over millions of years to form
masses on the sea bed. The human body needs
a tiny amount of manganese, which we can get
Forms
Manganese 25 25 30 State: Discovery: Solid^1774
25
Mn
Manganese
was purified
from pyrolusite
for the first time
in 1774.
Shiny,
silver y
metal
Transparent, rose-
coloured cr ystal
This mineral is made
of manganese dioxide.
Py
ro
lu
si
te
Rh
od
oc
hr
o
si
te
058-059_Manganese.indd 58 12/12/16 5:37 pm