MagnesiumMagnesium, also known as atomic number 12, was discovered in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy, a British chemist best known for his experiments in electrochemistry and his invention of the safety of minors. lamp (BBC News, 2014). Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg. Magnesium is a light, fairly strong, whitish, silvery alkaline earth metal that is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's mantle and the fourth most common element on Earth, making up 13% of the planet's mass (Winter, 2011). Its atomic weight is 24.305. The melting point of magnesium is 923 K (650°C or 1202°F) and the boiling point is 1363 K (1090°C or 1994°F). Magnesium ions are extremely soluble in water, making them the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater. The pure element magnesium burns and gives off a bright white light, making it a useful ingredient in flashlight photography, flares and pyrotechnics (Gagnon, 2012). Once ignited, magnesium is extremely difficult to extinguish. Attempting to put out the fire with water produces hydrogen, which only intensifies the flames. Magnesium also burns in both pure nitrogen and pure carbon dioxide, so a carbon dioxide extinguisher will also fuel the flames. Pure magnesium is not found free in nature because it is very reactive and binds well with many other elements in nature, such as other elements. metals and almost all acids. There are many magnesium compounds, such as magnesium sulfate, which is often used for preterm labor. I know this personally because it was a medication given to me when I went into premature labor with my son at only 32 weeks. Magnesium sulfate is used as a tocoytic medication to slow uterine contractions. It is administered intravenously to middle of paper......and carbon, which is why a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher cannot be used to extinguish a magnesium fire. Magnesium + oxygen —> magnesium oxide2Mg(s) + O2(g) —> 2MgO(s) Magnesium is probably the most important nutrient for the energy powerhouse of the heart. It is very useful for the proper functioning of the heart muscle. Magnesium also helps protect blood vessels, where most heart disease occurs (NIH, 2013). Magnesium is also a natural blood thinner, so doctors believe it may help prevent a heart attack or stroke. Scientists have shown that magnesium levels are very low in people with type 2 diabetes. So people with higher magnesium levels do not develop diabetes. This means that magnesium may also help prevent the development of diabetes, and taking a magnesium supplement also appears to help reverse prediabetes (Heller, 2012).