Question

Magnesium is part of the ____ family and has ____ valence electrons.

a) Alkaline Earth Metals, 2
b) Alkaline Earth Metals, 3
c) Alkali Metals, 2
d) Halogens, 2

Answer 1

Magnesium belongs to the alkaline earth metals group and has 2 valence electrons that it can lose to form a stable cation with a +2 charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

Magnesium is part of the alkaline earth metal family and has 2 valence electrons. This is because magnesium, with an atomic number of 12, has its valence electrons in the 3s orbital ([Ne]3s² configuration), similar to beryllium, which is also an alkaline earth metal with a filled s subshell as its outermost shell.

Alkaline earth metals are characterized by having two electrons in their outer shell, which they can lose to form cations with a +2 charge, leading to a stable octet configuration analogous to the noble gases.