magnesium

3 definitions found

magnesium - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Magnesium \Mag*ne"si*um\, n. [NL. & F. See Magnesia.] (Chem.)
     A light silver-white metallic element of atomic number 12,
     malleable and ductile, quite permanent in dry air but
     tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide)
     magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the
     so-called magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in
     pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong actinic
     illuminant is required. Its compounds occur abundantly, as in
     dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg. Atomic weight,
     24.305. Specific gravity, 1.75.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Magnesium sulphate. (Chem.) Same as Epsom salts.
        [1913 Webster]

magnesium - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  magnesium
      n 1: a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in
           pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs
           naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite
           and carnallite and spinel and olivine) [syn: magnesium,
           Mg, atomic number 12]

magnesium - Elements (07Nov00) :

  magnesium
  Symbol: Mg
  Atomic number: 12
  Atomic weight: 24.312
  Silvery metallic element belonging to group 2 of the periodic table
  (alkaline-earth metals). It is essential for living organisms, and is
  used
  in a number of light alloys. Chemically very reactive, it forms a
  protective oxide coating when exposed to air and burns with an intense
  white flame. It also reacts with sulphur, nitrogen and the halogens.
  First
  isolated by Bussy in 1828.