This site requires that javascript be enabled. Please configure your browser in the tools or configuration section.

Element Search


Magnesium, the eight most abundant element in the earth's crust, is a light, moderately hard, silvery-white metal. While ingots of the metal tarnish in air and react very slowly with water, finely divided powder is very reactive. Magnesium does not occur uncombined, but is found commonly in magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals. It is one of the lightest of the structural metals (a third lighter than aluminum), making it essential as an alloy in airplane and missile construction.
Melting Point650°CBoiling Point1100°C
Density1.738g/cm3Themal Conductivity0.37cal/cm2/cm/s/°C
Specific Heat0.245cal/g°CLatent Heat of Fusion88cal/g
Latent Heat of Vaporization1260cal/gAtomic Volume14.0W/D
First Ionization Energy176K-cal/g-moleElectronegativity1.2Pauling's
Covalent Radius1.36AngstromsMohs Hardness @ 20°C2.0
Linear Coefficient of Expansion26.1x10-6K-1Electrical Resistivity4.46µΩ-cm
Crystal StructureHexagonalModulus of Elasticity4570kg/mm2
Thermal Neutron Cross Section0.059barns/atomPoisson Ratio0.35
Tensile Strength33,000psi