Magnesium is a chemical element with symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (Group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table:they each have the same electron configuration in their outer electron shell producing a similar crystal structure. Magnesium is the ninth most abundant element in the universe.
Three reasons Magnesium stands out
- 1
Used in alloys and as a structural metal.
- 2
It burns with a blinding white light so intense it can cause permanent eye damage.
- 3
It sits at the centre of every chlorophyll molecule, making photosynthesis possible.
A bright metal at the center of green life
Magnesium burns with an intense white light, a property once exploited in flash photography and still used in flares. In biology it occupies the center of chlorophyll, helping plants capture sunlight. Its low-density alloys reduce weight in vehicles and devices without giving up useful strength.