Is Magnesium a Metal or Nonmetal? (+3 Facts You Should Know)

Magnesium is a metal. It is located in Group 2 (also known as the alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table and exhibits the typical properties of metals, such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility. ¹

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is magnesium a metal?

Magnesium is a metal because it exhibits the physical and chemical properties that are characteristic of metals. 

Metals are elements that typically have a shiny appearance, are good conductors of heat and electricity, and are malleable and ductile, meaning they can be easily hammered into sheets or drawn into wires. ²

Magnesium has all of these properties, which are due to its atomic structure. It has a low ionization energy and low electronegativity, which means it readily loses electrons to form positive ions and is highly reactive. ³

It also has a metallic bonding, which involves a sea of delocalized electrons that allow for the good conduction of heat and electricity.

Furthermore, magnesium is located on the left side of the periodic table, in Group 2, which is also known as the alkaline earth metals. This group contains elements with similar metallic properties, such as beryllium, calcium, strontium, and barium. ⁴

Therefore, magnesium is classified as a metal based on its physical and chemical properties and its location in the periodic table.

Properties of magnesium that classify it as a metal

Magnesium is classified as a metal based on the following properties:

• Shiny Appearance: Magnesium has a shiny, metallic appearance due to the way it reflects light. Metals generally have a lustrous appearance due to the way their atoms are arranged and the way they reflect light. ⁵
• Good Conductor of Heat and Electricity: Magnesium is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity due to its delocalized electrons, which are free to move throughout the metal and carry energy. This property makes it useful in applications such as electrical wiring and heating elements.
• Malleability: Magnesium is malleable, meaning it can be easily hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. This property is due to the metallic bonding in which the atoms are arranged in layers that can slide past each other.
• Ductility: Magnesium is ductile, meaning it can be drawn into thin wires without breaking. This property is also due to the metallic bonding and the ability of the layers of atoms to slide past each other. ⁶
• Low Electronegativity: Magnesium has a low electronegativity, meaning it has a tendency to lose electrons rather than gain them. This property makes it highly reactive and able to form ionic compounds with other elements. ⁷
• Low Ionization Energy: Magnesium has a low ionization energy, meaning it requires relatively little energy to remove electrons from its outer shell. ⁸ This property also contributes to its reactivity and ability to form positive ions.

These properties are characteristic of metals, and they help to explain why magnesium is classified as a metal.

How is magnesium different from other metals?

Magnesium has several unique properties that set it apart from other metals:

• Low Density: Magnesium has a low density compared to other metals, making it useful in applications where weight is a concern. Its density is approximately two-thirds that of aluminum and one-quarter that of steel.
• Reactive: Magnesium is highly reactive, which means it readily reacts with other elements to form compounds. This property makes it prone to corrosion and oxidation in air or water, and it must be stored and handled carefully.
• Flammable: Magnesium is flammable and can ignite spontaneously in air or water if it is in a fine powder or small pieces. This property makes it useful in flares, fireworks, and other pyrotechnic applications. ⁹
• Low Melting Point: Magnesium has a relatively low melting point compared to other metals, making it easy to cast and work with. Its melting point is about 650°C (1200°F), compared to aluminum’s melting point of about 660°C (1220°F) and iron’s melting point of about 1538°C (2800°F). ¹⁰
• Biocompatible: Magnesium is biocompatible, which means it is not harmful to living tissue and can be used in medical implants. It is also biodegradable, meaning it can be absorbed by the body over time. ¹¹
• Abundant: Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and it is widely distributed in rocks, minerals, and seawater. ¹² This abundance makes it an important element for industrial and commercial use.

These unique properties make magnesium a valuable metal in many different applications, from lightweight alloys in the aerospace industry to medical implants and flares.

Further reading

Is Fluorine a Metal?
Is Fluorine a Gas?
Is Germanium a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid?
Is Nitrogen Flammable?
Why is Nitrogen Diatomic?

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