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Understanding the element
Magnesium (Mg) is chemical element 12. It belongs to the alkaline-earth metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in alloys, fireworks and biology.
alloysfireworksbiology
Standard atomic weight[24.304, 24.307]
What its position in the table tells us
Magnesium sits in period 3, group 2 and the S block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Magnesium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Magnesium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses