The Element Magnesium - Essay Example

Magnesium has a silvery-white appearance and is solid at room temperature. Magnesium can never be found in its natural free state because of its highly reactive nature and forms compounds readily such as magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, and magnesium fluoride. The melting point for magnesium is 1,200°F and turns into a gas at 2,025°F. It is 1.74 times denser than water (Uttley 2000). The burning of magnesium initiates a bright white light and ignites at 650°C (Krebs 2006).

Magnesium harbors a variety of helpful functions in the industrial and chemical world. Magnesium due to its bright flame properties is used in aerial flares and was used as aerial firebombs during the war. Magnesium is considered a good construction metal and is used in aircraft, space, and automobile industries. Magnesium is also used in the process of thermal reduction to produce other metals such as zinc, nickel and zirconium. Milk of Magnesia is used as an antacid; magnesium in Epsom salts is used as laxatives and for treating laxatives and Epsom salts are also used for tanning leathers (Krebs 2006).

Chemistry is not merely the science of matter and studying different interactions and energy processes of matter, it also makes use of the knowledge to incorporate it in daily life activities for human benefit. The study of different properties of Magnesium and the ability of magnesium to form an array of compounds enables it to be used for a plethora of purposes in the automobile and aircraft industries, pharmacological uses, leather factories, chemical industries and, war-related purposes.