12Mg24.305
Magnesium
Alkaline earth metal · element 12 · group 2, period 3
Quick facts
| Symbol | Mg |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 12 |
| Relative atomic mass | 24.305 |
| Category | Alkaline earth metal |
| Position | group 2, period 3 |
| State at 20 °C | Solid |
| Melting point | 650 °C |
| Boiling point | 1,090 °C |
| Density | 1.738 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity | 1.31 |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s2 |
About Magnesium
Magnesium has the symbol Mg and atomic number 12, which means every magnesium atom has 12 protons in its nucleus and, in a neutral atom, 12 electrons. At room temperature it is a solid.
Alkaline earth metals are in group 2. They are reactive metals (less reactive than group 1) that form compounds with a 2+ charge.
It melts at 650 °C and boils at 1,090 °C.
Explore it
See where magnesium sits, and drag the temperature slider to watch it melt and boil, on the interactive periodic table. Practise with quizzes on OmniEx.