A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

59

Transition Metals

In 1774, Swedish chemist Johan Gottlieb

Gahn discovered manganese by reacting

manganese dioxide with charcoal – which

contains

carbon –

under a lot

of heat. The

carbon took

the oxygen

away from the

compound,

leaving

behind pure

manganese.

from mussels, nuts, oats, and pineapples. The

applications of manganese include its use in

strengthening steel, which is used in making

railway tracks and tank armour. Certain dry

cell batteries carry a mixture containing

manganese oxide. Manganese compounds

are also added to petrol and used to clean

impurities from glass to make it clear or to

give it a purple colour. In prehistoric times,

the compound manganese dioxide was

crushed to make the dark colours used in

cave paintings.

Railway tracks

Uses

Pineapple

Lascaux cave paintings, France

The black

colour comes from

manganese dioxide.

These steel

tracks have

manganese added

to them to make

them stronger.

This US coin from

World War II was made

using manganese and

silver because nickel

was in short supply.

Je

ff

er

so

n^ n

icke

l

This petrol contains a

manganese compound,

which is less toxic than lead.

This batter y contains

manganese dioxide.

Dry cell battery

This glass is coloured

by adding a manganese

compound called permanganate.

P

u

rp

le

g

la

ss

b

to

lt

e

Oats

Hazelnut

Mussel

JOHAN GOTTLIEB GAHN

Manganese-

rich food

L

ab

or

at

or

y

sa

m

pl

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058-059_Manganese.indd 59 05/01/17 2:49 pm