Discovery Information
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Who: Sir Humphrey Davy |
When: 1808 |
Where: England |
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Name Origin
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From Magnesia ancient city in Asia Minor. |
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Sources
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Although magnesium is found in over 60 minerals, only dolomite, magnesite, brucite, carnallite, talc, and olivine are of commercial
importance. Usually obtained by electrolysis of melted magnesium chloride found in sea water. China produces around 60% of the world's magnesium,
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Uses
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Used in alloys to make airplanes, missiles, car engine parts, racing bikes and other things that need light metals. Also used
in fireplace bricks, flashbulbs, pigments and filters. Magnesium powder is still used in the manufacture of fireworks and
marine flares where a brilliant white light is required.
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Magnesium oxide and other compounds also are used in agricultural, chemical, and construction industries. As a metal, this
element's principal use is as an alloying additive to aluminium with these aluminium-magnesium alloys being used mainly for beverage cans.
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Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) powder is also used by athletes, such as gymnasts and weightlifters, to improve the grip on objects - the apparatus or lifting
bar.
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Magnesium stearate is a slightly flammable white powder with lubricative properties. In pharmaceutical technology it is used
in the manufacturing of tablets, to prevent the tablets from sticking to the equipment during the tablet compression process
(i.e., when the tablet's substance is pressed into tablet form).
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Notes
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Organic magnesium is important in both plant and animal life. |
Magnesium metal and alloys are highly flammable in their pure form when molten, as a powder, or in ribbon form. Burning or
molten magnesium metal reacts violently with water. Once ignited it is difficult to extinguish, being able to burn in both
nitrogen (forming magnesium nitride), and carbon dioxide (forming magnesium oxide and carbon). Magnesium powder is an explosion hazard.
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