45.2k views
3 votes
Use the pictures below to answer these questions: How does Magnesium become an ion? What is the charge of the Magnesium ion?

Use the pictures below to answer these questions: How does Magnesium become an ion-example-1
User SQiShER
by
8.7k points

2 Answers

1 vote

Magnesium becomes an ion by losing two electrons from its outermost shell, which results in a
\( \text{Mg}^(2+) \) ion with a 2+ charge.

To answer the questions regarding how Magnesium becomes an ion and the charge of the Magnesium ion, we can follow these steps based on general chemistry knowledge:

1. Understand Magnesium's Electron Configuration: Magnesium (Mg) is an element with atomic number 12, meaning it has 12 protons and, when neutral, 12 electrons. Its electron configuration is
\( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 \), with the two 3s electrons being the outermost electrons.

2. Ion Formation: Magnesium becomes an ion by losing electrons to achieve a more stable electronic configuration. The most stable electronic configuration is often that of a noble gas, which, for Magnesium, would be the configuration of Neon (Ne), with an electron configuration of
\( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 \).

3. Losing Electrons: To achieve this configuration, Magnesium loses the two 3s electrons. This loss of electrons results in a positively charged ion because there are now more protons (12) than electrons (10).

4. Resulting Charge: After losing two electrons, Magnesium has a 2+ charge because it has two more protons than electrons. The resulting ion is denoted as
\( \text{Mg}^(2+) \).

User Voltrevo
by
8.4k points
3 votes

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

The bottom picture shows a Mg atom. There are two electrons on the outside ring. When Mg reacts with something, these 2 electrons are given away. The top picture records that fact.

User Richard Hunter
by
8.0k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.