Alexandra has taught middle school science and has a master's degree in Math and Science Education.
Have you ever seen a fireworks show? Or have you ever drank a thick, white liquid when you had a stomachache? Then you have seen magnesium in action! Magnesium is an element found on the periodic table. An element is matter that cannot be broken down into a simpler substance. Magnesium is the seventh most abundant element found on Earth. Let's learn more about magnesium.
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Magnesium is a solid at room temperature. It is a very light silver metal. Imagine what aluminum foil looks like. It is similar to that! When it is burned, it produces a bright white flame. This is why magnesium is used in fireworks and sparklers. This is what makes the bright sparks!
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Magnesium can be found both on Earth and other places in the universe. On Earth, it can be found in the crust as a compound with oxygen. A compound is when two or more elements chemically combine. In other places in the universe, magnesium can be found in stars. Magnesium can even be found in living things! It is part of the pigment that makes plants green, called chlorophyll. It is even inside of us, and is an important part of a multivitamin.
Magnesium and magnesium compounds are used for a variety of things. You probably come across magnesium every day! Try to count how many times you have seen magnesium or a magnesium compound today. Here are a few examples:
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