Magnesium is a chemical
element with the symbol Mg, atomic
number 12 and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's
crust, where it constitutes about 2% by mass,[2]
and ninth in the known Universe as a whole.[3][4]
This preponderance of magnesium is related to the fact that it is easily built
up in supernova
stars from a sequential addition of three helium nuclei to carbon (which in
turn is made from three helium nuclei). Magnesium ion's high solubility
in water helps ensure that it is the third most abundant.
Detailed description:
Magnesium
is the 11th most abundant element by mass in the human body; its ions are
essential to all living cells,
where they play a major role in manipulating important biological polyphosphate
compounds like ATP, DNA, and RNA. Hundreds of enzymes thus
require magnesium ions to function. Magnesium is also the metallic ion at the
center of chlorophyll,
and is thus a common additive to fertilizers.[6]
Magnesium compounds are used medicinally as common laxatives,
antacids (i.e., milk of magnesia), and in a number of situations
where stabilization of abnormal nerve excitation and blood vessel spasm is required (i.e., to
treat eclampsia).
Magnesium ions are sour to the taste, and in low concentrations help to impart
a natural tartness to fresh mineral waters.
The
free element (metal) is not found naturally on Earth, as it is highly reactive
(though once produced, is coated in a thin layer of oxide (see passivation),
which partly masks this reactivity). The free metal burns with a characteristic
brilliant white light, making it a useful ingredient in flares. The metal is
now mainly obtained by electrolysis of magnesium salts obtained from brine. Commercially,
the chief use for the metal is as an alloying agent to
make aluminium-magnesium
alloys, sometimes called "magnalium" or "magnelium". Since magnesium
is less dense than aluminium, these alloys are prized for their relative
lightness and strength.
PRICE
$2.00/KG
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