Magnesium oxide: Difference between revisions

Magnesium oxide is a powdery, crystalline solid.<ref> [http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/magnesium+oxide magnesium oxide] ''The Free Dictionary''. Web. Accessed on December 24, 2014. Author unknown.</ref><ref name=webelements>Winter, Mark. [https://www.webelements.com/compounds/magnesium/magnesium_oxide.html Magnesium: magnesium oxide] ''WebElements''. Web. Accessed on December 24, 2014.</ref> It is white in color. This compound melts at a relatively high temperature of about 2830 degrees Celsius and boils at 3600 degrees Celsius.<ref name=webelements/><ref name=rsc>Cotton, Simon. [http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/08/magnesium-oxide-mgo-podcast Magnesium oxide] ''Royal Society of Chemistry''. Web. Published on August 13, 2014.</ref> Magnesium oxide is considered to be a good thermal conductor. It is also generally resistant to corrosion. Because magnesium oxide is hydroscopic, it possesses the ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, forming magnesium hydroxide.<ref> [http://www.ehow.com/facts_5910770_magnesium-oxide.html Magnesium Oxide Facts ] ''eHow''. Web. Accessed on December 27, 2014. Author unknown.</ref> It has a very low solubility in water due to the strong ionic bonds that hold it. Like other metal oxides, magnesium oxide is a base.<ref name=rsc/>