Magnesium is a silvery-white, light metal. It is relatively soft, malleable and moderately reactive. Magnesium is inexpensive, strong, light and easy to work with. Its surface is protected by a thin layer of oxide that is difficult to remove. This oxide layer means that magnesium does not need to be stored in an oxygen-free environment like the alkali metals, although it does oxidize in air. Magnesium reacts with water at room temperature and hydrogen bubbles form on the metal surface. Magnesium also reacts with most acids. Magnesium has a reputation for being highly flammable, although this can be true for finely divided magnesium powders and ribbons. Magnesium has been used for more than 50 years in demanding, high-temperature applications such as jet engines and nuclear reactors without.
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