Question

The simple model below is a neutral magnesium (Mg) atom with the element’s most common mass number. A purple circle labeled M g sits at center with 3 concentric black lines around it. The inner line has 2 small green balls on it. The middle line has 8 small green balls on it. The outer line has 2 small green balls on it. What must happen to an atom of magnesium in order to become a magnesium ion Mg+2? It must lose two neutrons and become a different isotope. It must gain two neutrons and become a different isotope. It must lose two electrons and become an ion. It must gain two electrons and become an ion.

Answer 1

C. It must lose two electrons to become an ion.

Step-by-step explanation:

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Answer 2

It must lose two electrons and become an ion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In this case, for magnesium we know that the first two small balls are the first two electrons it has in the first electronic level, then, the next eight to the second level and finally the last two to the third energetic level based on its electron configuration:

`Mg^(12):1s^2,2s^2,2p^6,3s^2`

In such a way, since the magnesium atom has 12 electrons and protons, if we want to represent the Mg⁺² ion, it is clear that for it to become positive, it needs to lose two electrons so now it has 10 electrons and 12 protons, therefore, we conclude that it must lose two electrons and become an ion since it now has different number of electrons to protons.

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