Question

Which of the following metals are light in weight?
(A) Iron
(B) Gold
(C) Copper
(D) Magnesium

Answer 1

Hint: It is a white metal, which is comparatively soft. The atomic number of this metal is 12. This lightweight metal is the eighth-most abundant element in Earth’s crust.

Complete answer: Magnesium is the most lightweight metal. The fourth most common element in the Earth is Magnesium. One of the elements essential to all cellular life is Magnesium. The density of Magnesium is 1740 kg/m³. This silvery-white alkaline earth metal makes up 13% of the Earth’s mass. There are trillions of tonnes of magnesium in the sea, and this is the source of tonnes of Magnesium that is produced each year. Because of its critical role in many physiological processes, Magnesium has a significant influence on terrestrial ecosystems.
Magnesium may vary with temperature, which generally affects nutrient mineralization rates. The climatic factors, particularly temperature, can directly affect the concentration of Magnesium in organisms by influencing all physiological processes.
Since Magnesium is the lightest construction metal, it is helpful in the making of consumer products, gadgets, power tools as well as the automotive industry. Magnesium and magnesium alloys are non-ferrous metals. They are characterized by moderate strength, low density, good ductility and corrosion resistance. Magnesium is 33% lighter than aluminium, 50% lighter than titanium and 75% lighter than steel. It is totally biocompatible and does not pose any toxicity risks.

Option (A): Iron is a heavy metal with symbol Fe and atomic number 26. 55.845 u is its atomic mass.
Option (B): Gold is a heavy metal with symbol Au and atomic number 79. 196.96657 u is its atomic mass.
Option (C): Copper is a heavy metal with symbol Cu and atomic number 29. 63.546 u is its atomic mass.
Option (D): Magnesium is a light metal with symbol Mg and atomic number 12. 24.305 u is its atomic mass.
As the metallic elements with a density higher than 5 and those with a high atomic number are considered as heavy metals, Iron, Gold and Copper are considered as heavy metals, which makes options (A), (B) and (C) incorrect.

Option (D) is the correct answer.

Note: Magnesium, found in large deposits in minerals such as magnesite and dolomite, occurs naturally only. It is in combination with other elements such as carbon, calcium and oxygen, Magnesium is formed. An estimated quantity of 65 metric tons of magnesium in natural magnesite deposits are found in the United States of America.