Magnesium

Atomic Number: 12
Group: 2
Period: 3
Symbol: Mg
Atomic Weight: 24.305
Electron Configuration: [Ne] 3s2
Lattice C/A Ratio: 1.624
Lattice Structure: Hexagonal

Metallic bonding in magnesium

If you work through the same argument with magnesium, you end up with stronger bonds and
so a higher melting point.
Magnesium has the outer electronic structure 3s2. Both of these electrons become delocalized,
so the "sea" has twice the electron density as it does in sodium. The remaining "ions" also
have twice the charge (if you are going to use this particular view of the metal bond) and so
there will be more attraction between "ions" and "sea".
More realistically, each magnesium atom has one more proton in the nucleus than a sodium
atom has, and so not only will there be a greater number of delocalized electrons, but there
will also be a greater attraction for them.
Magnesium atoms have a slightly smaller radius than sodium atoms, and so the delocalized
electrons are closer to the nuclei. Each magnesium atom also has twelve near neighbours
rather than sodium's eight. Both of these factors increase the strength of the bond still further.

Properties:

Magnesium has a melting point of 648.8°C, boiling point of 1090°C, specific gravity of 1.738
(20°C), and valence of 2. Magnesium metal is light (one-third lighter than aluminum), silvery-
white, and relatively tough. The metal tarnishes slightly in air. Finely divided magnesium
ignites upon heating in air, burning with a bright white flame.

Uses:

• Magnesium is used in pyrotechnic and incendiary devices. It is alloyed with other

metals to make them lighter and more easily welded, with applications in the
aerospace industry. Magnesium is added to many propellants. It is used as a reducing
agent in the preparation of uranium and other metals that are purified from their salts.
Magnesium compounds are used as refractory material in furnace linings for
producing metals (iron and steel, nonferrous metals), glass, and cement. Magnesium
hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sulfate (Epsom salts), chloride, and citrate are used in
medicine. Organic magnesium compounds have many uses. With a density of only
two thirds of the aluminum’s, it has countless applications in cases where weight
reducing is important, i.e. in airplane and missile construction. It also has many useful
chemical and metallurgic properties, which make it appropriate for many other non-
structural applications.
• Magnesium components are widely used in industry and agriculture. Magnesium is
essential for plant and animal nutrition. Chlorophyll is a magnesium-centered
porphyrin.

• Used in alloys to make airplanes, missiles, racing bikes and other things that need light
metals. Also used in fireplace bricks, flashbulbs, pigments and filters.

• Other uses include: removal of sulphur form iron and steel, photoengraved plates in
the printing industry; reducing agent for the production of pure uranium and other
metals from their salts; flashlight photography, flares, and pyrotechnics.