How Did Magnesium Get Its Name?

The name magnesium developed from the Greek word Magnesia. This word is basically the name of a district that was situated in Thessaly. It was recognized as an element only in the year 1755, by Joseph Black in Scotland. It is considered as one of the eight most important elements that are found on the earth's surface. It is generally found in deposits like magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals.

The story of magnesium sulphate seems to very interesting. It is said that once a farmer tried giving water from a well to his cow, which in turn refused to drink the well water, since it gave out a very bitter taste. Later most of the farmers around noticed that the water began to get some kind of rashes as well scratches due to the water. It was then that magnesium sulphate came to be recognized.

The element Magnesium got its name in Greek because it was found in a district in Thessaly called Magnesia. Another element manganese is also named so because that was also originated from the same area. As a metal it was first discovered by Davy in England and he named it Magnium. To avoid its confusion from the name manganese and magnesia alba, it was named Magnesium, instead of magnium.  

Magnesium is called so because of the material from which it is derived. It is produced through the process of electrolysis and is found naturally in deposits, minerals and magnesite. The name of Magnesium is a Greek word and it is the name of a District in Thessaly called Magnesia. Magnesium is also originated from this area and it is related with magnetite, that's why it is called magnesium.

Magnesium is a light, silver-white, medium hard element of a metallic nature which can be found in either ribbon or a powdered variety. Magnesium can be recognised by its characteristic ability to burn with a brilliant white flame.

The word magnesium is derived from the word for Magnesium oxide (MgO), that is, magnesia. Magnesia in Middle English means a mineral ingredient of the philosopher's stone, which is derived from the Medieval Latin magnesia, traced back to Greek origin of magnesia which refers to a kind of ore, named after Magnesia, an ancient city that used to be situated in Asia Minor.

As a result of its light weight and its capacity to make strong alloys, it is used in numerous industrial applications. As a mineral, it occurs in abundance in rock forming minerals like magnesite and serpentine.