Symbol: Mg
Atomic number: 12
Category: alkaline earth metals
Group: 2
Period: 3
Block: s
Atomic weight: 24.3050 g/mol
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 2
CAS number: 7439-95-4
Phase: solid
Density: 1.738 kg/dm3 (near room temperature)
Melting point: 923 K (650 °C, 1202 °F)
Boiling point: 1363 K (1091 °C, 1994 °F)
Crystal structure: hexagonal
Oxidation states: 2, 1
Electronegativity: 1.31 (Pauling scale)
Name's origin: Magnesia
Name's meaning: a district in Thessaly, Greece
Facts:
- its ions are essential to all living cells
- is a fairly strong, silvery-white, lightweight metal (two thirds the density of aluminium)
- its uses include flashlight photography, flares, pyrotechnics, fireworks sparklers and incendiary bombs
- the bright white light (including ultraviolet) produced by burning magnesium can permanently damage the retinas of the eyes