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Question:

How to identify between magnesium and aluminum.?

I am trying to tell if a part on a motorcycle is either magnesium or aluminum.Is it true that if i take a grinder to the metal, if its magnesium it will give off red sparks.

Answer:

There is a very simple way to do this .. you don't need complex chemical tests. Aluminium is amphoteric, Mg is not. So only aluminium will dissolve in alkali [eg sodium hydroxide / caustic soda] giving bubble whereas magnesium won't. So just degrease the part and dip it in sodium hydroxide. It it starts bubling it is Al , it no reaction, it is Mg. Wash the part in plenty of running water afterwards, which will immediately stop the reaction.
they wont use magnesium parts in motor vehicles as it is very brittle in nature and is easily broken. NO the test you mentioned is wrong. Identification test for magnesium involves precipitation with ammonia.

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