Abstract
The electron collisional cross sections for the three lowest states of Mg I are calculated using the close coupling approximation with a semi-empirical core potential. Configuration interaction is included in the Mg I wave functions. Several resonances occur, a few of which strongly affect the total cross sections. Three elastic cross sections (31S-31S, 33P-33P and 31P-31P), and three inelastic cross sections (31S-33P, 31S-31P and 33P-31P) are presented.