Magnesium Facts: The Element

Magnesium facts: The element Magnesium contains 12 protons and 12 electrons in its neutral state. While magnesium metal is reasonably stable at room temperature and does not require special storage conditions, it is still a highly reactive element and so is not found in metallic form in nature. Magnesium is only encountered in its ionic form Mg2+.


Isotopes of Magnesium

Other isotopes have been identified and synthesized but they are all radioactive and have short half lives, meaning they do not exist in the natural environment. The range is from 19-Magnesium to 40-Magnesium which means a content of between 7 and 28 neutrons in the nucleus of these isotopes.


Magnesium Facts: Electron Structure

The 12 electrons held by a neutral atom of Magnesium gives an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2. In order to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, Magnesium loses the two electrons in the third shell and thus ends up with the stable configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6. This results in Magnesium having two more protons than electrons in this state, leaving it with a charge imbalance of +2. This positively charged ion, or cation is commonly refered to as Mg2+. This ion will bond ionically with negatively charged ions to form neutral compounds such as MgO, MgCl2 and Mg(OH)2.

Magnesium metal is flammable at high temperatures. Once ignited it burns fiercely producing the white powder Magnesium Oxide, MgO. This stability at room temperatures coupled with its high reactivity has made it ideal for applications such as fire starters, flash bulbs and fireworks like those shown from Valencia.