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Magnesium

Key Stage 2

Meaning

Magnesium is a metal.

Key Stage 3

A 2 dimensional representation of a Magnesium atom with 12 protons and 12 neutrons in the nucleus and 12 electrons orbiting the nucleus.

Meaning

Magnesium is a Group 2 element, on the Periodic Table, with an atomic number of 12.

About Magnesium

Molecular Structure

Magnesium has the chemical symbol Mg.
Magnesium atoms join together in large numbers to form a giant metal molecule.

Atomic Structure

Magnesium as 12 protons and 12 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an Atomic Number of 12 and an atomic mass of 24.
An atom of Magnesium has only 2 electrons in its outer shell.

Properties

Magnesium is a more reactive alkali earth metal than Beryllium but less reactive than Calcium.
Magnesium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
Magnesium reacts slowly with liquid water and strongly with steam to produce Hydrogen gas and Magnesium Hydroxide and strongly with acid to produce a Magnesium salts.
Magnesium burns at a very high temperature with a bright white flame.
Magnesium is a solid at room temperature.

Key Stage 4

A 2 dimensional representation of the Bohr Model of a Magnesium-24 isotope with 12 protons and 12 neutrons in the nucleus and 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second and 2 in the outer shell.

Meaning

Magnesium is a Group 2 element, on the Periodic Table, with 12 protons in the nucleus.

About Magnesium

Molecular Structure

Magnesium has the chemical formula Mg.
Magnesium atoms join together in a giant metallic structure.

Atomic Structure

The most stable isotope of Magnesium has 12 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an atomic mass of 24.
An atom of Magnesium has only 2 electrons in its outer shell.
Magnesium ions have lost two electrons to become positively charged.
MagnesiumIonFormation.png
A diagram showing the formation of a Magnesium ion.

Properties

Magnesium is a more reactive alkali earth metal than Beryllium but less reactive than Calcium.: Magnesium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
Magnesium reacts slowly with liquid water and strongly with steam to produce Hydrogen gas and Magnesium Hydroxide and strongly with acid to produce a Magnesium salts.
Magnesium burns at a very high temperature with a bright white flame.
Magnesium is a solid at standard temperature and pressure.

References

AQA

Magnesium, page 127, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
Magnesium, page 287, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA