A magnesium atom has the electronic configuration 2,8,2. An oxygen atom has the configuration 2,6. Which is true about the formation of magnesium oxide?
a) a magnesium atom gains a pair of electrons from an oxygen atom
b) a magnesium atom loses a pair of electrons to oxygen
c) an oxygen atom loses a pair of electrons to magnesium
d) an oxygen atom shares a pair of electrons with magnesium
Answers
Answer:
a The reaction between magnesium metal and oxygen to form magnesium oxide involves the oxidation of magnesium. ... In the course of this reaction, each magnesium atom loses two electrons to form an Mg2+ ion. Mg Mg2+ + 2 e- And, each O2 molecule gains four electrons to form a pair of O2- ions.
b Magnesium loses two electrons to form Mg2+, and oxygen gains two electrons to form O2-. The attractive force between the oppositely charged ions is what holds the molecule together
c Mg loses two electrons to have an octet. Oxygen gains two electrons to have an octet. The ionic bond between ions results from the electrostatic attraction of opposite charges. The final formula of magnesium oxide is MgO.
d A double bond is formed, when two atoms share 2 pairs of electrons between them. In an oxygen molecule there is a double bond between two oxygen atoms as they share two pairs of electrons i.e. 4 electrons.