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Magnesium is more reducible to the “Lithium” which is more metallic in nature if compared to the properties of Magnesium. This is one of the major differences between Lithium and Magnesium. Because of its smaller size, the metal Lithium differs from other metals that are alkaline in nature but resembles the closer metal Magnesium, to form a diagonal relationship. The properties of Magnesium and lithium are very similar even if they are present in different groups. The key similarity between Magnesium and Lithium is that both of them are metals and can be found together in the environment.
Difference between lithium and magnesium
The properties of both the metals Lithium and Magnesium are very similar as they are found together in climate. Both of them are metal, showing a diagonal relationship, placed in different metallic groups. One of the major differences between Lithium and Magnesium is that “Lithium” is more metallic in nature than “Magnesium”. Magnesium is determined to be a more reducible metal than “lithium”. For example, to evaluate the relationship between Lithium and magnesium, it can be stated that batteries made up of magnesium are safer than Lithium batteries. Both of them are metal which has similar polarising power and electronegativity, as the “charge/ratio” of both Lithium and Magnesium is almost the same. As there are differences between lithium and Magnesium, Li has the atomic number “3”, with a valence of “1” and Mg has the atomic number “12”, with a valence of “2”.
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Lithium and Magnesium: Both of them are metal
“Lithium”, is a metal that is often consumed in dietary foods like vegetables, grains and fruits. In various supplementary foods, Li is used in small doses. The name “Lithium” has been derived from the Greek word “stone” as it is found virtually in all types of rocks. Magnesium is the cofactor having more than three hundred enzymes that help to regulate “biochemical reactions” in the human body. Both of them are metals having the same polarising power, and their ions size is nearly the same. Their carbonates, phosphate, and fluorides are also the same that are “insoluble” in nature. Both of them are metals and form “monoxides” with O2 (Oxygen). Lithium is often denoted as harder than other metals present in the periodic table with alkaline properties. The boiling and melting points of Li are also higher if compared to other “alkali” metals.
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Both of them form monoxides with oxygen
There are differences between Lithium and Magnesium as Lithium is more metallic in nature than the metal Magnesium. Lithium forms monoxide if heated with Oxygen. In the case of Magnesium, it has been observed that it burns in O2 (Oxygen). The charge that Mg has is “2+” and the charge Oxygen carries is “2–”. When Magnesium reacts with Oxygen is burned to form “Magnesium oxide” and is found as oxygen gas in climate. It gives out 2 electrons to Oxygen and forms MgO (Magnesium Oxide) which is powdery in nature. Unlike all other metals of their respective groups, both of them form “monoxides” with Oxygen, whereas other metals form superoxide and peroxide.
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Lithium and Magnesium: Similarities
In the periodic table, it has been observed that the 1st element of the 2nd period “Li” has similar properties to the 2nd element “Mg” of the 3rd neighbouring group. Both of them are metal having a diagonal relationship. There are other elements present in the periodic table that also show similar properties like Lithium and magnesium, such as Boron and Silicon, and Beryllium and Aluminium. To explain the diagonal relationship between “Magnesium and Lithium”, it can be stated that both have a higher and similar polarising power. Both of them are metals, which are harder and lighter if compared to other alkali metals present in their respective periodic table groups.
Conclusion
Lithium is a metal that can be incorporated into dietary foods like grains, and vegetables and is quite helpful in treating bipolar disorder, which is a “manic-depressive disease”. Magnesium is also involved in muscle function, control of blood pressure and sugar regulation, and protein synthesis. There are differences between Lithium, Magnesium as Lithium is determined as more metallic in nature than Magnesium, and Mg’s size is much less if compared to the size of Li. Hence, by adding the protons, their electrons get attracted due to greater core strength and this makes the radius of “Magnesium” smaller than “Lithium”.
