Name: magnesium Symbol: Mg Atomic number: 12 Atomic weight: 24.3050 (6) Group in periodic table: 2 Group name: Alkaline earth metal Period in periodic table: 3 Block in periodic table: s-block CAS registry ID: 7439-95-4Magnesium is a grayish-white, fairly tough metal. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust although not found in it's elemental form. It is a Group 2 element (Group IIA in older labelling schemes). Group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals.Magnesium tarnishes slightly in air, and finely divided magnesium readily ignites upon heating in air and burns with a dazzling white flame. Normally magnesium is coated with a layer of oxide, MgO, that protects magnesium from air and water.