Question

In a simple model of a neutral magnesium atom with the elements most common mass number. What must happen to an atom of magnesium in order to become a magnesium ion MG^+2 ? Does it lose two electrons and become an ion? or does it lose two neutrons and become a different isotope?

Answer 1

Answer: It must lose two electrons and become an ion.

Explanation: Magnesium (Mg) is metal from 2. group of Periodic table of elements and has low ionisation energy and electronegativity, which means it easily lose valence electons (two valence electrons).

Magnesium has atomic number 12, which means it has 12 protons and 12 electrons. It lost two electrons to form magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) with stable electron configuration like closest noble gas neon (Ne) with 10 electrons.

Electron configuration of magnesium ion: ₁₂Mg²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶.

Answer 2

It loses two electrons to become an ion.

(As Neutrons carry no charge changing them would not effect the atom so that's how you know it's the electron :) )