25Mn54.938
Manganese
Transition metalsHard, shiny metals that conduct heat and electricity well and often form coloured compounds.
[Ar] 3d⁵ 4s²
- Atomic number
- 25
- Atomic mass
- 54.938
- Protons
- 25
- Neutrons
- 30 (most common)
- Electrons
- 25
- Shells
- 2, 8, 13, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 7, period 4
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byJohan Gottlieb Gahn, 1774Carl Wilhelm Scheele: 6 elementsJohan Gottlieb Gahn: 1 element
Gahn isolated the metal the same year Scheele recognised it as a new element in the mineral pyrolusite.
Did you know?
- Plants need manganese to carry out photosynthesis.
- India is one of the world's major manganese producers.
Where it's found
- Pyrolusite ore
- Mines in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha
- Nodules on the deep sea floor
What it's used for
- Making steel tougher
- Alkaline batteries (manganese dioxide)
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Manganese. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.