Magnesia
Magnesia is a term that refers to two different substances: Magnesium oxide (MgO) and the various hydrates of magnesium carbonate (3MgCO3·Mg(OH)2·3H2O), which occur in nature as minerals.
Magnesium Oxide[edit | edit source]
Magnesium oxide (MgO), or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium. It has an empirical formula of MgO and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2− ions held together by ionic bonding. Magnesium hydroxide forms in the presence of water (MgO + H2O → Mg(OH)2), but it can be reversed by heating it to separate moisture.
Magnesium Carbonate[edit | edit source]
The various hydrates of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) also bear the name magnesia. "Magnesia alba" (white magnesia) which is a mixture of MgCO3 and Mg(OH)2, is a significant commercial compound. It is used as an antacid and mild laxative and has many nonmedicinal uses.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Magnesia is used in a wide variety of ways. It is often used as an insulator in industrial cables, as a basic refractory material for lining high-temperature furnaces and in agriculture to improve acidic soils. In medicine, it is used as an antacid and short-term laxative. It is also used in the production of construction materials and is a common component in certain types of cement.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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