Why Is Magnesium 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.

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.