Difference Between Manganese Vs Magnesium

SCIENCE / November 29, 2023 / admin / 0

In this article, I will be discussing in details; the difference between Manganese Vs Magnesium, their uses and properties.

Difference Between Manganese Vs Magnesium

Magnesium(Mg)  is an Alkaline earth metal located in the period 3, Group 2 in the periodic table. Alkaline metals are characterized by their relatively high reactivity and they share certain chemical properties such as the tendency to form divalent cations eg Mg². So being a highly reactive metal it occurs in nature, only in the combined state as Dolomite; CaCO₃.MgCOM₃, Carnallite; KCl.MgCl₂-6H₂O, Kieserite; MgSO₄.H₂O, Epsom salt; MgSO₄.7H₂O and in many trioxosilicate (iv) including asbestors. The chloride, bromide and tetraoxosulphate(vi) of magnesium are present in sea water. Magnesium is also an essentail constituent of chlorophyll in green plants.

While Manganese(Mn) belongs to the category of transition metals. It is located in the period 4, Group 7 of the periodic table. Transition metals are known for showing a formable multiplicity of oxidation state, because of the close similarities in energies of the 4s and 3d electrons and are available for bond formation. These elements can easily lose electrons from 4s and 3d orbitals so they can form compounds with a number of oxidation states.

For example, Manganese with the following electronic configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵ 4s² can lose : two 4s electrons to give a +2 oxidation state as in MnO; two 4s and two 3d electrons to give a +6 oxidation state as in MnO₄²^–  .

Physical Properties of Magnesium(Mg)

1. It has a melting point of 650ºC and a boiling point of 1107ºC
2. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity
3. it has a density of 1. 74 gcm
4. It is a silvery- white solid with metallic lustre
5. It is ductile meaning it has the capability of being drawn into thin wires
6. It is malleable meaning it can easily be shaped or rolled into thin sheets.

Physical Properties of Manganese(Mn) 

1. It is a hard, brittle, silvery-gray metal
2. It has a density of about 7.3 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)
3. It has a relatively high melting point of around 1,246ºC
4. It is a good conductor of electricity
5. It exhibits ferromagnetism at low temperature
6. It is also ductile and malleable.

Check my previous posts also to read everything about Aluminum

Chemical Properties of Magnesium(Mg)

1. Reaction with non-metals: Magnesium when heated, combines directly with sulphur, phosphorus,chlorine, and nitrogen but not with hydrogen
2. As a reducing agents: Magnesium is a powerful reducing agent. It burns continuously in steam, sulphur(IV)oxide, carbon(IV)oxide and the oxides of nitrogen, reducing the gas in each case. Magnesium ribbon burns brilliantly in steam to liberate Hydrogen, leaving behind white ashes of magnesium oxide in the glass tube
3. Reaction with dilute acids: Magnesium displaces hydrogen from dilute acids.

Chemical Properties of Manganese(Mn)

1. Reactions with acids: Manganese reacts with various acids. For instance, it reacts with dilute sulfuric acid to produce manganese sulfate and hydrogen gas.
2. Variable oxidation state: Manganese readily forms compounds with a number of oxidation states, and the most prevalent one is manganese dioxide (MnO₂). This compound has various applications, including as a depolarizer in dry cell
3. Catalytic Activity: Manganese is an effective catalysts both as a compound. A catalyst is a substance which alter the rate of a reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. Manganese compounds such manganese dioxide acts as a catalysts in certain chemical reactions.
4. Complex Ion formation: Manganese has the ability to form complex compounds. A complex ion or compound consists of a central metal atom or ions to which several other atoms, ions or molecules called Ligands are bonded. These complexes often exhibit different colors, contributing to the use of manganese compounds in pigments and dyes.
5. Reaction with Halogens: Manganese reacts with halogens, forming manganese halides. For example, manganese reacts with chlorine to produce manganese(II) chloride (MnCl₂).

Uses of Magnesium(Mg)

1. Magnesium is used in photographic flashlight, powder, flares and fireworks
2. It is used in preparing light, tough alloys eg duralumin(Al,Cu,Mg,Mn) and magnalium(Al,Mg)
3. It is used as a deoxidant in metallurgy and in the extraction of uranium and titanium
4. It is a vital component in plant nutrition and is often included in fertilizers
5. Because of their strength and low density, they are used in construction
6. Magnesium compounds are used in certain medicines

Uses of Manganese(Mn)

1. Manganese dioxide is a very important component in the cathode of dry cell batteries
2. Manganese compounds are used in the production paints, fertilizer, dyes and pigments
3. Manganese dioxide is used in the production of clear glasses
4. They are used in various alloys such as aluminum alloys, to improve strength and corrosion resistance
5. It is used in the production of steels where it acts as a deoxidizing and desulfurization agent
6. Manganese compounds are used in water treatments, to help remove impurities and contaminants from water sources, thereby contributing in improving water quality

In summary, the difference between Manganese Vs Magnesium is that.  Magnesium is a silver- white alkaline metal, which has a low density, high reactivity and excellent strength ratio. It is mostly used in automotive and aerospace industries.

Manganese on the other hand, is a gray-white transition metal that plays a very important role in steel production, it’s compounds too is important in glass, batteries and ceramics manufacturing and it is used in various industrial processes.

Frequently asked questions: 

How Many Valence Electrons Does Manganese Have: Manganese has a total of 7 valence electrons ( 4s² 3d⁵). Its outermost shell is the 4th shell and it has  two electrons in the 4s orbitals and five electrons in the 3d orbitals.

How Many Neutrons Does Manganese Have: The number of neutrons in an element is calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number. Atomic number of manganese is 25, and it’s mass number is 55. Therefore you minus I.e. mass number(55) – atomic number (25) = 30. So manganese has 30 neutrons. 

Elements

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