The word "magnesium" is spelled with a "g" instead of a "j" despite the pronunciation containing a "j" sound. This is because the letter "g" in this instance represents the voiced velar stop /ɡ/, which is the sound made when the back of the tongue touches the soft palate. The "j" sound that is heard when saying "magnesium" is actually the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/, which is made by the tongue touching the hard palate and then quickly moving down to produce a voiced fricative sound.
Magnesium is a chemical element represented by the symbol "Mg" and atomic number 12. It is a lightweight, silver-white alkaline earth metal that belongs to the Group 2 elements in the periodic table. With an atomic mass of 24.305 g/mol, magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.
In its elemental form, magnesium is highly reactive and can easily burn, producing a bright white light. It is commonly utilized in various industrial applications, including the production of alloys, such as aluminum-magnesium alloys, which are known for their high strength and low weight. Magnesium is also important in the production of flares, fireworks, and pyrotechnics due to its ability to ignite easily.
From a biological perspective, magnesium is an essential mineral for human health, playing a crucial role in numerous physiological processes. It is involved in the formation of bones and teeth, as well as in the proper functioning of muscles and nerves. Magnesium is also required for the production of DNA and RNA, energy metabolism, and the regulation of blood pressure and heart rhythm.
Magnesium can be found naturally in minerals such as magnesite and dolomite, while it is also present in seawater and many plant and animal tissues. It can be obtained through dietary sources, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Magnesium deficiency can lead to health problems, such as muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, and weakened immune function, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an adequate intake of this essential mineral.
A mineral element, symbol Mg, atomic weight 24.32, of silvery luster, the base of the Alkaline earth magnesia. It burns with an intense white light, very rich in actinic rays, and therefore employed in photography.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The metallic base of magnesia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "magnesium" has its roots in Ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "magnesia", which refers to a district in Thessaly, Greece where a type of ore rich in magnesium was found. The element magnesium itself was eventually named after this region and came into common usage in the late 18th century.