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

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

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

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

• Magnesium
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Periclase

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