Magnesium
Real Metals · Common · Modern
The lightest structural metal, two thirds the weight of aluminium, and it burns with a white so fierce it hurts to look at directly. It is also the atom sitting at the centre of every chlorophyll molecule, which is the only reason leaves are green.
Identity
- Symbol
- Mg
- Atomic number
- 12
- Source
- Natural element
- Used in
- Duralumin
- Also known as
- Mg
- Ores of the industrial age
- Carnallite, Dolomite, Magnesite
- Ore deposits
- Evaporite deposit
- Used in alchemy
- Magnesium Powder
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Shiny grey-white, even lighter than aluminium, burns with a blinding white flame
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 650 °C
- Boiling point
- 1090 °C
- Denser
- Hvítaálmr
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Tensile strength
- 200 MPa
- Softer
- Tin
- Harder
- Brass
- Workability
- Moderate
- Brittleness
- Moderate
- Malleability
- Moderate
- Ductility
- Moderate
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- Low
- Reactivity
- High
Lore & Narrative
German forces in World War II used magnesium incendiary bombs to devastating effect on British cities, where water from fire hoses only spread the burning metal further. The same element that sustains plant life was weaponised in one of history's most destructive bombing campaigns.
- Notable uses
- Aerospace alloys, automotive parts, incendiary devices, biological processes
- Forge uses
- aerospace alloys, automotive components, lightweight structures
- Worldbuilding traits
- ultralight, flammable, biological, Modern
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025: Magnesium Metal, USGS, 2025
- U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025: Magnesium Compounds, USGS, 2025
- Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, Dolomite: Mineral information, data and localities, mindat.org
- Dolomite (mineral), Wikipedia
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