89.6k views
0 votes
The Lewis dot notation for two atoms is shown Mg:. What is represented by this notation?

a. Ionic bond
b. Covalent bond
c. Double bond
d. Metallic bond

User Ehsaneha
by
7.2k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The Lewis dot notation 'Mg:.' represents the valence electrons of a magnesium atom and does not indicate a bond. To identify a bond type, the notation would need to show an interaction between two atoms, such as shared or transferred electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Lewis dot notation Mg:. represents the valence electron configuration of the magnesium atom. In Lewis dot symbols, each dot represents a valence electron. This particular notation does not represent a bond, since we do not see electrons shared between two atoms.

Therefore, this notation is just showing the valence electrons of a single magnesium atom and does not correspond to any of the bond types listed (ionic bond, covalent bond, double bond, or metallic bond).

Lewis electron-dot structures show the bonding in covalent molecules. However, the presence of a single atom and its valence electrons, as depicted here, does not indicate any particular type of bond. To identify a bond using Lewis dot symbols, we would need to observe a connection between atoms, such as dots shared between two atomic symbols (indicating a covalent bond) or a transfer of dots from one atom to another (indicating an ionic bond).

User Pepyakin
by
7.2k points