It may be the seventh most abundant element in the earths crust and eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body, but magnesium is never found free in nature due to its highly reactive nature. In 1618, a farmer at Epsom in England realized water from a well there was undrinkable due to its bitter taste, but could heal scratches and rashes. The substance became known as Epsom salts and its fame spread. It was eventually recognized to be hydrated magnesium sulfate. Magnesium was identified as an element by Scottish chemist, Joseph Black (1728-1799) in 1755 but Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829), an English chemist was the first scientist to successfully isolate the metal. He did this in 1808 through the electrolysis of a mixture of magnesium oxide and mercuric oxide. Davy suggested the element be called magnium. The current name however derives from Magnesia, a district in the region of Thessaly, Greece. Magnesium has a variety of uses including: for firework sparklers, flares and flash photography because of the light it produces when it burns. In the human body magnesium helps in regulating blood pressure and keeping blood sugar levels normal. The same element can be utilized as antacid in indigestion. The element is often alloyed with aluminum and other metals. Magnesium has electrical and mechanical properties. They can be found in cameras, laptops, cell phones and other electronic gadgets. Due to its light weight and strength it is used in many vehicle parts. Magnesium chloride is used as a de-icer or even in dust control and soil stabilization. credits: https://webelements/magnesium/history.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium usesof.net/uses-of-magnesium.html
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:36:59 +0000
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