Magnesium

Magnesium is a very light, silver-white metal. It is so light that it is often used where weight matters. Magnesium burns with a bright white flame that is hard to look at. It is one of the most common elements in Earth and in the ocean. Your body needs magnesium every day to stay healthy.

How Magnesium Is Used

Magnesium is mixed with other metals to make them lighter and stronger. This helps make car parts, laptops, and airplanes. It used to be used in flash bulbs on old cameras because it gives off bright light when it burns. Fireworks use magnesium to make bright white sparkles. Magnesium is also used in some emergency flares.

Magnesium in Plants and People

Plants need magnesium to make the green color in their leaves, called chlorophyll. Without magnesium, plants cannot turn sunlight into food. Your body uses magnesium to help muscles and nerves work right. You can get magnesium from nuts, seeds, beans, and leafy green foods. It also helps keep your heart beating steady.

Fun Facts

• Magnesium is the eighth most common element in Earth's crust.
• The green in plant leaves gets its color from magnesium.
• Sailors and campers use magnesium fire starters to light fires even when it's wet.

Did You Know?

Once magnesium catches fire, water cannot put it out because the flames are too hot and just keep burning.