Is magnesium a ferrous metal or a non-ferrous metal?

Answer 1

Magnesium has no unpaired electrons. To be magnetic, a metal must have at least one unpaired electron (i.e., a spin up electron without a corresponding spin down electron). In general, response to a magnetic field is a property of electron spin.

The confusion comes from the similarity between the two words. Here is a citation by Peter von der Krogt from Elementymology and Elements Multidict:

The names magnesia alba and magnesia nigra are derived from Magnesia, Μαγνησια,a prefecture in Thessaly (Greece)… Manganese and Magnesium were abundant in oxide and carbonate ores in this region, and they therefore became referred as Μαγνητις λιθος, or stones from Magnesia. The region also contained large amounts of iron oxides (magnetite, or lodestone, for example) so that the ores were magnetized. That explains why magnesium as well as magnet (and magnetism) are derived from Magnesia, while magnesium is not magnetic.

Answer 2

Magnesium is a non-ferrous metal. It is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is commonly used in a variety of industries, including automotive and aerospace, due to its low density and high strength-to-weight ratio.

Answer 3

magnesium is the alkaline earth metal which is the most flameble metalMagnesium gives sparkaling light when it is burnt and it give carbon dioxide when it is burnt.

Answer 4

It is a Metal.

Answer 5

Mg, Magnesium, is a metal.

Answer 6

It is in fact POLAR.

Answer 7

non-ferrous, as it does not contain iron.

Answer 8

Magnesium (Mg) is a metal.

Answer 9

Yes