Question

What happens to the radii of magnesium when it bonds with nitrogen?

A. The radii increase.
B. The radii decrease.
C. The radii remain unchanged.
D. The change in radii depends on the stoichiometry.

Answer 1

When magnesium bonds with nitrogen, the radii of the ions change. The magnesium cation decreases in radius, while the nitrogen anion increases in radius.

Step-by-step explanation:

When magnesium (Mg) bonds with nitrogen (N), magnesium loses two electrons and forms a cation with a charge of 2+, while nitrogen gains two electrons and forms an anion with a charge of 2-. As a result, the radii of the ions change.

The radius of the magnesium cation decreases because it loses two electrons and becomes smaller, while the radius of the nitrogen anion increases because it gains two electrons and becomes larger. Therefore, the correct answer is B. The radii decrease.