Magnesium
Magnesium is the 12th element on the periodic table. It has an atomic mass of
24.305 amu, a specific gravity of 1.74, and is an alkaline earth metal and
therefore has a valence of +2. It's e- levels are 2-8-2. Magnesium was discovered in 1808 by Sir Humphry
Davy of England. It melts at 922 K, and boils at 1380 K. Magnesium is important to life because in the center of every molecule
of chlorophyll lies an atom of Mg. Magnesium is also used by the cells in
RNA and DNA reproduction.
Mg's electron configuration is [Ne]3s2.
Mg's electronegativity is 1.31.
May 19, 1997, updated August 7, 1998
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