Manganese facts for kids
Manganese is a special kind of building block called a chemical element. It's number 25 on the periodic table, which is like a big chart of all known elements. Its symbol is Mn. Don't mix it up with magnesium (Mg)! Manganese has 25 tiny particles called protons in its center. Its atomic weight is about 55.
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What is Manganese Like?
Manganese is a shiny, silvery-gray metal. It belongs to a group of elements called transition metals, just like iron. It's quite strong and hard to melt. However, it can easily react with oxygen, a process called oxidation.
Manganese Colors and Forms
Manganese can create many different chemical compounds. These compounds come in many colors, like black, brown, pink, red, green, blue, and purple! The color depends on how manganese has reacted with other elements. Scientists call these different forms "oxidation states." The most common ones are +2, +4, and +7.
- Manganese(II) compounds are usually pink or light brown. They don't react much with other chemicals. An example is Manganese(II) chloride.
- Manganese(IV) compounds are often black. They are stronger at taking electrons from other chemicals. A good example is manganese(IV) oxide.
- Manganese(VII) compounds are purple-black and are very strong at taking electrons from other chemicals. These are called Permanganates. Potassium permanganate is a common one.
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Manganese(II) chloride, a pink compound of manganese.
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Manganese(IV) oxide, a common black manganese compound.
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Potassium permanganate, a purple compound of manganese.
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Where is Manganese Found?
Manganese is found all over the Earth. Sometimes, it's mixed with iron in rocks that come from space, called meteorites. A very important source of manganese is a mineral called Pyrolusite. You can also find it in other rocks like manganese carbonate and some silicates.
How is Manganese Made?
Most manganese is made as an alloy (a mix of metals) with steel. To do this, manganese ore (rock with manganese in it) and iron ore are heated together in a special furnace. Then, carbon is added to remove oxygen, creating an alloy called ferromanganese.
If you want pure manganese, it's made differently. Manganese ore is first mixed with sulfuric acid. Then, electricity is passed through the mixture in a process called electrolysis. This separates the pure manganese.
What is Manganese Used For?
Manganese is super important for making steel stronger. This is its main use.
Manganese compounds, especially manganese(IV) oxide, are used in different types of batteries, like alkaline and Leclanche cells. Manganese metal is also mixed with aluminium to make other useful alloys.
Manganese and Your Body
Did you know that our bodies and plants need manganese to stay healthy? If we don't get enough, we can get sick. We get manganese from the food we eat, and it's also added to some vitamins to make sure we get enough.
Is Manganese Safe?
Like many substances, manganese needs to be handled carefully. Breathing in manganese dust can irritate your lungs. Some manganese compounds can be harmful if swallowed. However, manganese is generally less harmful than metals like nickel or copper.
The most harmful manganese compounds are the Permanganates. If someone is exposed to a lot of manganese for a long time, it can sometimes affect their nervous system.
Related pages
- Manganese compounds
- List of common elements
Images for kids
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Electrolytically refined manganese chips and a 1 cm3 cube.
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Manganese(II) chloride crystals – the pale pink color of Mn(II) salts.
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A purple solution of potassium permanganate in water.
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Johan Gottlieb Gahn is often credited with first isolating manganese.
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A diagram showing how manganese is refined.
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The U.S. M1917 combat helmet, made from a special manganese steel alloy.
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A World War II-era 5-cent coin (nickel) made from a copper, silver, and manganese alloy.
See also
In Spanish: Manganeso para niños
