Magnesium What is it? What does it do?

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust although not found in it's elemental form. It is a Group 2 element (Group IIA in older labelling schemes). Group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals. Magnesium is a grayish-white, fairly tough metal. It tarnishes slightly in air, and finely divided magnesium readily ignites upon heating in air and burns with a dazzling white flame. Normally magnesium is coated with a layer of oxide, MgO, that protects magnesium from air and water. Magnesium is an important element for plant and animal life. Chlorophylls are porphyrins based upon magnesium. The adult human daily requirement of magnesium is about 0.3 g day.

Some uses of magnesium:

• used in flash photography, flares, and pyrotechnics, including
  
• it is one third lighter than aluminium, and in alloys is essential
  
• for aeroplane and missile construction
  
• it is a reducing agent in the production of pure uranium and other metals from their salts

Maybe there's some magnesium being put to use here!