Name: magnesium
Symbol: Mg
Atomic number: 12
Atomic weight: 24.3050 (6)
Group in periodic table: 2
Group name: Alkaline earth metal
Period in periodic table: 3
Block in periodic table: s-block
CAS registry ID: 7439-95-4
Magnesium is a grayish-white, fairly tough metal.
Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust although not found in it's elemental form. It is a Group 2 element (Group IIA in older labelling schemes). Group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals.
Magnesium tarnishes slightly in air, and finely divided magnesium readily ignites upon heating in air and burns with a dazzling white flame. Normally magnesium is coated with a layer of oxide, MgO, that protects magnesium from air and water.