Magnesium is one of the most amazing metals known to man. It is so light that it is only two-thirds as heavy as aluminum, and you know from your experience with kitchen utensils how light aluminum is! In fact, magnesium is the lightest metal used in industry.

In addition to its lightness, magnesium has another unusual property. It has a tendency to burn. In the form of dust or fine shavings, it catches fire very easily and burns violently.