Charles Raspa, age 13, of Philadelphia, Penna., for his question:

Is Magnesium the same as Manganese?

Magnesium and Manganese are two very different metals. Their names are confusing because when they were discovered the experts thought that both of them were magnetic. Later tests proved the experts wrong, but the confusing names were not changed. 11 list of their likenesses is very short compared with a list of their differences. So first let us see whore they resemble each other.

Both are metallic elements. This means that, in pure form, they are composed of atoms which, in bulk and at ordinary temperatures, form solid metals: Both play vital roles in the Age of Science. And here the likenesses between them end.

Magnesium is a glamorous metal. Its usefulness since World War II has grown by leaps and bounds. Before this it was somewhat limited as it was not easy to come by. Then it was discovered that this shiny, silvery white metal could be taken from the sea.

This operation is one of the most fascinating stories of modern chemistry. There is a vast chemical plant at Freeport, Texas which extracts bars of solid white shiny magnesium from seawater. ;,nd more and more uses for it in our daily life are being discovered.

Magnesium has some very excellent qualities. It is tough but it is light. Aluminum is considered a light‑weight metal but it is three times as heavy as magnesium, which is the lightest of all metals. It is also easy to work and very durable. This makes it most valuable for airplane parts. We can also buy luggage, ladders, wheelbarrows and a host of other everyday items made of this sturdy, lightweight metal.

The work of manganese is mostly behind the scenes in  heavy industry for it has splendid qualities as an alloy. Alloys are mixtures of metals, blended together at high temperatures.

A good alloy preserves the basic quality of each metal in the mixture and adds extra qualities to the finished. product. Manganese adds toughness and hardness to the mixture.

The most vital alloy of our times is steel and the metal manganese is necessary to make steel. The most common manganese alloy used to make steel is called spiegeleisen. It is a blend of about 80 per cent iron and 20 per cent mangenese. Another alloy used to turn iron into steel is called ferromanganese: It is a blend of 20 per cent iron and 80 per cent manganese in pure form copper and tin are soft, weak metals. But an alloy of these soft metals with a trace of manganese is tough enough for very heavy jobs. This alloy is manganese bronze, a blend of 88 per cent copper, 10 per cent tin and about two per cent manganese. This miracle alloy is used to make propellers, machine tools and all sorts of parts for durable, heavy duty machinery.