From: John H. Kim (kim_at_stormhaven.org)
Date: Thu Oct 08 1998 - 11:28:49 EDT
On Thu, 8 Oct 1998 Rich_Chong_at_mail.share.org wrote:
>
> Sorry for continuing this tangent... but. I believe that the poster is
> confusing Mg with Lithium (which is highly reactive with water). One of the
> basic tests for Magnesium is to put the metal boiling water to see if it
> evolves hydrogen. Mg wont burst into flames without an ignitor, and water
> isn' t one.
Hmm, I thought both metals burned in water... Mg builds up a
protective layer of Magnesium Oxide, so it's more volatile if
you cut it to expose the pure Mg underneath. I'll have to
check on it later. Thanks for the reality check. ;-)
-- John H. Kim kim_at_stormhaven.org
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