Magnesium (Mg): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D

Magnesium is element 12 on the periodic table, an alkaline earth metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.

Open Magnesium in 3D All 118 elements

Magnesium (Mg) shown in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table — Magnesium in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table. Click the picture to open it live.

Magnesium quick facts

Atomic number	12
Symbol	Mg
Atomic mass	24.305
Category	Alkaline Earth Metal
Group and period	Group 2, period 3
Block	s-block
State at room temperature	Solid
Electron configuration	[Ne] 3s²
Electrons per shell	2, 8, 2
Discovered	1808, Davy

What is magnesium used for?

Lightweight alloys for aircraft & cars
Flash photography & flares
Antacid medicine (magnesium hydroxide)

Interesting facts about magnesium

Burning magnesium reacts with water, so water makes the fire worse
The green colour of plants comes from chlorophyll, which contains magnesium at its core
Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in Earth's crust

Magnesium was discovered in 1808 by Davy in Britain.

Where magnesium sits on the periodic table

Magnesium is in group 2, period 3. Tap any element to open its page.

HHe Li BeB C N O F Ne NaMgAl Si P S Cl Ar K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe Cs BaHf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn Fr RaRf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts OgLa Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb LuAc Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

Previous element11. Sodium Next element13. Aluminium

Other alkaline earth metals

4Beryllium (Be)20Calcium (Ca)38Strontium (Sr)56Barium (Ba)88Radium (Ra)

Magnesium questions

What is the atomic number of magnesium?

Magnesium has atomic number 12, so every magnesium atom has 12 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Mg and its atomic mass is 24.305.

Is magnesium a metal?

Magnesium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as an alkaline earth metal, found in group 2, period 3.

What is the electron configuration of magnesium?

The electron configuration of magnesium is [Ne] 3s². Its electrons sit in 3 shells: 2, 8, 2.

What is magnesium used for?

Magnesium is used for lightweight alloys for aircraft & cars, flash photography & flares and antacid medicine (magnesium hydroxide).

Who discovered magnesium?

Magnesium was discovered in 1808 by Davy in Britain.

The 3D Periodic Table is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.