Final answer:
Most 'mag wheels' today are actually made from an aluminum alloy rather than pure magnesium. The name persists from when wheels were traditionally made of magnesium, but modern alloys include other metals to improve performance and durability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "mag wheels" often refers to wheels that are made from magnesium alloy or, more commonly in modern times, an alloy containing aluminum. Originally, mag wheels were made from pure magnesium, which is why they got the name 'mag' wheels. However, due to the high cost and flammability of magnesium, modern mag wheels generally contain mostly aluminum with traces of other metals to enhance their properties. Despite this shift in materials, the term "mag wheels" has stuck around.
The combination of metals in these modern alloys typically include aluminum because it is lightweight, which offers an advantage in terms of performance by reducing unsprung mass and improving handling. The other metals in the alloy could include small amounts of magnesium, silicon, copper, and zinc to improve the strength, durability, and corrosion resistance of the wheels.
It's important for students to understand that word conventions like 'mag wheels' can persist in popular usage even when the initial conditions that led to the term's creation have changed. For instance, mag wheels today are more accurately described as aluminum alloy wheels.