Magnesium carbonate

Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) is an inorganic salt composed of magnesium and carbonate ions. It occurs naturally as magnesite and is used in materials, food, and medicine.

Magnesite: Magnesite is the naturally occurring mineral form of magnesium carbonate, MgCO₃. This mineral is the principal natural occurrence of the compound.
Thermal decomposition: Thermal decomposition is the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances through heating. Heating magnesium carbonate releases carbon dioxide and leaves magnesium oxide.
Gym chalk: Gym chalk is a drying powder, usually magnesium carbonate, used to improve grip in climbing and weightlifting. It absorbs moisture from hands and reduces slipping.
Cryptocrystalline magnesite: Cryptocrystalline magnesite is a fine-grained form of magnesite composed of microscopic crystals. This texture occurs in some natural deposits used as magnesite ore.
Carbonate: Carbonate is the polyatomic ion CO₃²⁻ and the family of compounds containing it. The carbonate ion combines with magnesium ions to form MgCO₃.
Magnesium oxide: Magnesium oxide is an inorganic compound with formula MgO, commonly produced by heating magnesium carbonate. It is the solid product formed when magnesium carbonate decomposes.
Food additive: A food additive is a substance deliberately added to food for a technological purpose. Magnesium carbonate is used in some foods as an acidity regulator or anticaking agent.
Refractory material: A refractory material resists high temperatures and is used to line furnaces and other hot equipment. Magnesite is processed into magnesium oxide for refractory linings.
Magnesium: Magnesium is a chemical element with symbol Mg and atomic number 12. Magnesium supplies the positive ions in magnesium carbonate.
Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas with formula CO₂, produced by respiration, combustion, and carbonate reactions. It escapes as gas during the thermal decomposition of magnesium carbonate.

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