Magnesium is a lightweight, alkaline metal that has a silver-white color and slightly tarnishes when exposed to air. In the form of a powder and exposed to moisture, magnesium heats and ignites. Magnesium burns with a white flame and can become difficult to extinguish. Magnesium in the form of an electrode is commonly used for a process called electrolysis and for the construction of voltaic cells. Additionally, you can use magnesium electrodes for hardness, heat density and conductivity experiments.
Magnesium Electrodes to Prevent Corrosion
You can greatly reduce the corrosion of iron and steel in structures underneath the ground or submerged in water such as boats. When metals such as iron and magnesium connect through a wire, the resulting reaction produces hydrogen in the iron electrode. This stops the process of corrosion and the magnesium electrode dissolves, instead of the iron. In other words, this reaction sacrifices the magnesium to protect the iron structure.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis refers to a process that uses a direct electric current to make a nonspontaneous chemical reaction. Commercially, electrolysis is used to separate elements from naturally occurring sources such as ores. This process involves the use of an electrolytic cell. The main components of electrolysis are an electrolyte, which is a substance that contains free ions that are the carriers of the electric current, a direct current that provides the energy to discharge the ions and two electrodes that serve as electrical conductors.
Air Battery
An air battery works with air and saltwater. The concept of this battery has the same basic principle as burning wood to make heat energy. In the case of an air battery, you burn metal to get electrical energy or electricity. The process does not literally burn a metal, but results in a condition that supports oxidation that resembles a slow burning process. Among the elements necessary for the construction of this battery is a magnesium electrode. Between the magnesium electrode and the iron electrode, in combination with salt, you create a current.
Voltaic Cells
Magnesium electrodes are also used in voltaic cells. A voltaic or galvanic cell derives its energy from chemical reactions that take place within the cell. The regular and simplest configuration of a voltaic cell involves two different metals such as copper and magnesium connected by a salt bridge. You must also take care to separate each metal from the other to avoid mixing the two solutions.
References
- "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments"; Robert Bruce Thompson; 2008
- "The Voltaic Cell"; Park Benjamin; 2010
- "Handbook of Cosmetic Skin Care"; Robert Baran, Howard I. Maibach and Avi Shai; 2001
- "Modern Electrology"; Fino Gior; 2000
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