Manganese

Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal that is often found in minerals with iron. Manganese was first isolated in the 1770s and is used in various industrial applications, including stainless steels, due to its ability to improve strength, workability, and resistance to wear. It also has various medical and nutritional uses, including being an essential dietary element that plays a critical role in macronutrient metabolism, bone formation, and free radical defense systems. Manganese is a silvery-gray metal that is hard and brittle, and it is highly reactive with air and water. It has several isotopes, including one stable isotope, 55Mn, and several radioactive isotopes with varying half-lives. Manganese is also a key element in the production of oxygen by plants and is an important component of various enzymes and proteins.learn more on wikipedia