magnesium oxide
Noun: 1. A white solid mineral compound: Magnesium oxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula MgO. It is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as the mineral periclase. It is primarily used as a source of magnesium in industrial and chemical processes.
Magnesium oxide is used as a material in refractory bricks for furnaces, as a component in cement, in agricultural applications to adjust soil pH, and as a dietary supplement or antacid in medicine.
As a mineral/compound:
- The factory uses magnesium oxide as a raw material for producing refractory linings.
- Periclase is the natural mineral form of magnesium oxide.
As a source/material:
- This process extracts magnesium from magnesium oxide.
- The antacid tablet contains magnesium oxide.
- Technical/Industrial Context: In materials science, magnesium oxide is often referred to by its common name, , especially when discussing its refractory properties.
- The crucible was lined with fused magnesia (magnesium oxide).
- Magnesia: A common name for magnesium oxide, particularly in industrial and historical contexts.
- Periclase: The specific name for the natural mineral form of magnesium oxide.
- Calcined magnesia (specifically referring to magnesium oxide produced by calcination)
- Fused magnesia
The term "magnesium oxide" specifically denotes the chemical compound MgO. Its primary meaning is as a substance. The reference to it being "a source of magnesium" describes one of its key utilities but is not a separate definition of the word itself.
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a white solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase; a source of magnesium
