magnesium

magnesium is a chemical element with the Atomic number 12, discovered by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808, and named after the Magnesia region in Greece, where it was first found. It is an Alkaline earth metal with a wide range of applications, from Medicine to Aerospace engineering, and is closely related to other elements like Calcium and Barium. Isaac Newton's laws of Motion and Universal gravitation helped scientists like Henry Cavendish and Antoine Lavoisier understand the properties of Elements like magnesium. The Royal Society and French Academy of Sciences have published numerous studies on the properties and applications of magnesium, including research by Marie Curie and Ernest Rutherford.

Properties

Magnesium has a Melting point of 650°C and a Boiling point of 1090°C, making it a relatively light and soft metal, with a Density of 1.738 g/cm³, similar to Beryllium and Aluminum. Its Electronegativity is 1.31, which is close to that of Lithium and Sodium. Magnesium is highly Flammable and can react with Water to produce Hydrogen gas, as demonstrated by Michael Faraday in his experiments on Electrolysis. The National Institute of Standards and Technology and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry have established standards for the properties of magnesium, which are used in industries like General Motors and Boeing. Researchers like Niels Bohr and Louis de Broglie have studied the Quantum mechanics of magnesium and its compounds.

Occurrence and production

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and can be found in Minerals like Magnesite, Dolomite, and Carnallite, which are mined in countries like China, Russia, and United States. The United States Geological Survey and British Geological Survey have reported on the global distribution of magnesium deposits, which are often associated with Salt lakes and Geothermal fields. Magnesium is also produced through the Electrolysis of Molten salt, a process developed by Herbert Dow and used by companies like Dow Chemical and Alcoa. The International Council on Mining and Metals and World Health Organization have established guidelines for the safe production and handling of magnesium.

Biological role and health effects

Magnesium plays a crucial role in Human nutrition, and is essential for the functioning of Muscles, Nerves, and Bones, as demonstrated by research at Harvard University and Stanford University. It is also involved in Energy metabolism and can help prevent conditions like Hypertension and Osteoporosis, according to studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and The Lancet. Magnesium deficiency can lead to Muscle cramps and Fatigue, as reported by National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization. The American Heart Association and European Food Safety Authority have established recommended daily intake levels for magnesium, which are often supplemented with Vitamins and Minerals like Calcium and Vitamin D.

Applications

Magnesium is used in a wide range of applications, from Aerospace engineering to Automotive industry, due to its high Strength-to-weight ratio and Corrosion resistance, as demonstrated by research at NASA and European Space Agency. It is also used in Fireworks and Photography, as a Reducing agent and Flash powder, respectively, and is an essential component of Batteries and Fuel cells, as developed by Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. The Society of Automotive Engineers and International Organization for Standardization have established standards for the use of magnesium in various industries, including General Electric and Siemens. Researchers like Stephen Hawking and Brian Greene have studied the potential applications of magnesium in Theoretical physics and Materials science.

Compounds

Magnesium forms a wide range of compounds, including Magnesium oxide, Magnesium chloride, and Magnesium sulfate, which are used in Catalysis, Pharmaceuticals, and Agriculture, respectively, as reported by Royal Society of Chemistry and American Chemical Society. Magnesium compounds are also used in Water treatment and Soil remediation, as demonstrated by research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology. The National Science Foundation and European Research Council have funded studies on the properties and applications of magnesium compounds, including research by Linus Pauling and Glenn Seaborg.

History

The discovery of magnesium is attributed to Sir Humphry Davy, who isolated the element in 1808, using the Voltaic pile invented by Alessandro Volta. The name "magnesium" was coined by Davy and is derived from the Magnesia region in Greece, where the mineral Magnesite was found, as reported by Pliny the Elder and Strabo. The History of chemistry and History of physics are closely tied to the discovery and development of magnesium, with contributions from scientists like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Marie Curie. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Nobel Prize in Physics have been awarded to researchers who have made significant contributions to the study of magnesium and its compounds, including Dmitri Mendeleev and Ernest Rutherford. Category:Chemical elements