Question

A neutral oxygen atom has 8 protons and 8 electrons. It gains 2 electrons when it chemically combines with magnesium to form magnesium oxide (MgO). What is the charge of oxygen in magnesium oxide?

Answer 1

in this ionic compound, oxygen has 2 excess electrons and magnesium has two electrons missing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When oxygen is mixed in a chemical reaction, it acquires two electrons from magnesium, to become an ion with 2 negative .

Mg + O → MgO

Therefore, in this ionic compound, oxygen has 2 excess electrons and magnesium has two electrons missing