Name/ Symbol Occurrence/
Preparation
Magnesium Magnesium is a chemical
(Mg) element with symbol Mg
and atomic number 12. It
is shiny gray solid which
bears a close physical
resemblance to the
others five element in the
second column (group 2
or alkaline earth metals)
Strontium Is the chemical element
(Sr) with symbol Sr and
atomic number 38. An
alkaline earth metal,
strontium is a soft silver-
white yellowish metallic
element that is highly
reactive chemically.It
occurs naturally in the
minerals Celestine,
strontiate, and putnisite,
and is mined mostly from
the first two of these.
Properties
Physical
Magnesium is a shiny
silver or gray colored
metal that is light inweight
and strong. The density of
magnesium is 1.738 g/m2,
which means the metal will
sink in water, but it is still
relatively light weight.
Is asilvery-white, shiny
metal. When exposed to
air, it combines with
oxygen to form a thin film
of strontium oxide (SrO).
The film gives the metal a
yellowish color. Strontium
has a melting point of
about 757oC (1,395oF) and
a boiling point of 1,3660C
(2,4910F). Its density is 2.6
grams per cubic
centimeter.
Chemical
Magnesium is silvery white metal.
The surface of magnesium metal is
covered with a thin layer of oxide
that helps protect the metal attack
by air, ores ignited, magnesium
metal burns in air with a
characteristic blinding bright while
flame to give a mixture of white
magnesium oxide, MgO &
Magnesium nitrite, Mg3N2
Strontium is so active it must be
stored under kerosene or mineral
oil. In this way, the metal does not
come into contact with air. In a
finely divided or powdered form,
strontium catches fire
spontaneously and bums
vigorously. Strontium is active
enough to combine even with
hydrogen and nitrogen when
heated. The compounds formed are
strontium hydride (SrH 2) and
strontium nitride (Sr 3N2). Strontium
also reacts with acids to release
hydrogen gas.
Application
Apply in flames & pyrotechnics including
incendiary bombs. It is lighter than aluminum, &
is used in alloys used for aircraft, car engine
casing & missile construction. The hydroxide
(milk of Magnesia), chloride sulfate (Epson salt)
& the citrate are used in medicine.
the primary use for strontium is in glass for
colour television cathode ray tubes,[52] where
it prevents X-rayemission.[53][54] This
application for strontium is declining because
CRTs are being replaced by other display
methods. This decline has a significant
influence on the mining and refining of
strontium.[44] All parts of the CRT must
absorb X-rays. In the neck and the funnel of
the tube, lead glass is used for this purpose,
but this type of glass shows a browning
effect due to the interaction of the X-rays
with the glass. Therefore, the front panel is
made from a different glass mixture with
strontium and barium to absorb the X-rays.
The average values for the glass mixture
determined for a recycling study in 2005 is
8.5% strontium oxide and 10% barium oxide.
Beryllium (Be) Never occurs as a free Is a hard, brittle metal with
element, only as a a grayish-white surface. It
compound. The most is the least dense (lightest)
common ore of beryllium metal that can be used in
is beryl. Beryl has the construction. Its melting
chemical formula Be point is 1, 287oC (2,349oF)
and its boiling point is
3(A1)2 (SiO 3 ))6. estimated to be about
The original name of 2,500oC(4,500oF). Its
Berrylium-glucinium- density is 1.8 gras per
meant sweat tasting, cubic centimeter. The
since the element and metal has a high heat
some of its compounds capacity (it can store heat)
have a sweet taste. and heat conductivity).
Interestingly, beryllium is
transparent to X rays. X
rays pass through the
metal without being
absorbed. For this reason,
beryllium is sometimes
used to make the windows
for X-ray machines.
Reacts with acids and with water to
form hydrogen gas. It reacts briefly
with oxygen in the air to form
beryllium oxide. (BeO). The
beryllium oxide forms a thin skin on
the surface of the metal that
prevents the metal from reacting
further with oxygen.
parts per million.
The major beryl producer in the world is the
United States. The only mine currently
producing beryl is in Delta, Utah. Beryl is
also converted to beryllium and its
compounds in plants in Delta; Elmore, Ohio;
and near Reading, Pennyslvania. Beryl is
also obtained from mines in China, Russia,
and Brazil.
Beryllium is relatively common in the Earths
crust. Its abundance is estimated at 2 to 10
The following are the application areas of
beryllium:
Alloying agent in production of
beryllium-copper
X-ray detection diagnostics
Manufacture of computer peripherals
Nuclear reactors as neutron
moderators and reflectors
Satellite structures
IR target acquisition
Heat sink constraining cores