While both magnesium and manganese are essential minerals with roles in human health, they have distinct properties and functions
“Comparison between Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn)“
| Property/Aspect | Magnesium (Mg) | Manganese (Mn) |
| Symbol | Mg | Mn |
| Atomic Number | 12 | 25 |
| Position in Periodic Table | Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metal), Period 3 | Group 7 (Transition Metal), Period 4 |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metal | Gray-white or silvery metal |
| Density | 1.738 g/cm³ | 7.21 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 650°C (1202°F) | 1246°C (2275°F) |
| Boiling Point | 1091°C (1994°F) | 2061°C (3742°F) |
| Reactivity | Highly reactive, especially with acids | Less reactive than Mg, but still reactive |
| Reaction with Dilute Nitric Acid | Evolves hydrogen gas and forms magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3​)2​) | Evolves hydrogen gas and forms manganese nitrate (Mn(NO3​)2​) |
| Standard Electrode Potential (E°) | -2.37 V | -1.18 V |
| Oxidation States | 2 | +2, +3, +4, +6, +7 |
| Uses | Alloy production, lightweight construction materials | Steel production, batteries, pigments |
| Biological Role | Essential for human health (bones, enzymes) | Essential trace element in biological processes, enzyme function |
| Occurrence | Abundant in Earth’s crust (8th most abundant element) | Less abundant than Mg, found in various ores like pyrolusite |
| Reaction with Water | Reacts slowly with cold water, more rapidly with hot water | Reacts very slowly with cold water |