Magnesium is used in

Magnesium is a light, silvery-white metal that is highly flammable [1]. When ignited, magnesium ribbon burns with a characteristic dazzling or brilliant white flame, producing heat and light through a chemical reaction with oxygen to form magnesium oxide [3]. This property makes magnesium and its alloys essential components in fireworks and flares to produce bright white light or silvery-white effects [4]. While magnesium-bearing minerals like olivine are used in jewellery, the metal itself is not a gemstone [4]. For medical examinations of the alimentary canal, barium sulfate (a 'barium meal') is typically used due to its radiopaque properties, not magnesium. Similarly, while magnesium compounds like magnesium hydroxide have industrial uses, the primary use of the metal for light production is in pyrotechnics [4].

Sources

1. [1] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: The World of Metals and Non-metals > Activity 4.6: Let us investigate (demonstration activity) > p. 51
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations > Figure 1.1 Burning of a magnesium ribbon in air and collection of magnesium oxide in a watch-glass > p. 2
3. [3] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical > 5.3.2 Combustion > p. 62
4. [4] https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-minerals-produce-colors-fireworks