Guest Nightwolf Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 This may seem a rather easy question to ask but why does Magnesium burn so easily. Does it have something to do with the electrons? I'm at a lose when it comes to science like this. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budullewraagh Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 eh this isnt quantum mechanics... magnesium oxidizes easily because of its valency of 2 and its nucleus' little control of the electrons in its outermost S sublevel. you know how alkali metals react with air? this is the same thing except it is more rapid. if you ignite an alkali metal it will react vigorously as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I wouldn’t say 'easy' though. It’s nearly impossible to light a block, they use magnesium in aircraft applications. Although that’s really a thermal characteristic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilded Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 "It’s nearly impossible to light a block" Have you seen the burning of a computer cover-thingie made of magnesium? Damn, they put some hard effort into lighting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Yea, I did see that. I wish I could have been there. It wouldnt have been much to look at though because it would be so bright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I think gas lawn mowers have a large magnesium piece too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris_73 Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 is that petrol lawn mowers or is that a new kind of lawn mower in america because that would be quite handy getting hold of a large chunk of magnesium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilded Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 If you have old (over 10 years or so) pencil sharpeners around, they just might be made of an over 90% Mg alloy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 It's petrol lawn mowers. I don't know what you mean by "new kind ... in america". Do you mean electric? In that case, then no, they don't have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake712 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 Now I am confused, you say that magnesium blocks are difficult to light, but many people use sticks of magnesium in order to start fires. Are you refering to a larger layer of magnesium oxide covering the outside of the "blocks?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 They don’t light the sticks they shave a thin layer off and light the shreds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake712 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 my question, is how is that different from lighting the block. Is it similar to trying to light a wooden log as compared to a twig? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 ^Yes. A large block will be able to absorb more heat before ignitng, which means that more heat is required. Smaller pieces (especially with more surface area) will light quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris_73 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 what you do with a fire starter is get the magnesium block and scrape it with something steel eg a steel blade this produce's sparks which are capable of lighting tinder, or straw ect there are no shreds used and with the lit straw/tinder you then light larger pieace's of wood and the you have your fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 No, youre wrong. Youre thinking of the magnesium/flint blocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris_73 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 are they not the same thing ie a block of magnesium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 No. It’s basically magnesium block glued to a flint block. You scrape the magnesium off into a pile then you flip it around and scrape the flint off (which burns on contact with the air) which lights the magnesium. Of course I could be wrong and you could be thinking of something completely different that I have not heard of. Jake: Think of an aluminum heat sink. Aluminum will also burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris_73 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 sorry i apologise you are correct heres a link http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1024&memberId=12500226 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsatan Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 this is the same reason burning a log takes a while but paper doesnt, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 I think you are both confusing a magnesium firestarter with flint and steel. Also I think i have seen magnesium cylinders with plastic handles that you scrape wit a piece of steel. It makes sparks as you scrape bit of the magnesuium off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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