Properties of Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol (Mg) and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal and is an essential mineral for the human body. Magnesium plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including energy production, muscle function, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of magnesium (Mg) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal close-packed (hcp) |
| Atomic Number | 12 |
| Molar Mass | 24.305 g/mol |
| Density | 1738 kg/m3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 44.7 GPa |
| Shear Modulus (G) | 17.3 GPa |
| Bulk Modulus (K) | 35.6 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.291 |
| Mohs Hardness | 1 - 2.5 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 650 °C |
| Boiling Point | 1090 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity (27°C) | 156 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) (25°C) | 1025 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) (25°C) | 2.48×10-5 1/°C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Electrical Resistivity | 4.38×10-6 Ω·cm |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.