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A magnesium atom has 12 electrons. When it reacts it usually loses 2 electrons. How does this loss make magnesium more stable?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Losing 2 electrons gives it 10 - which is the same electron configuration as the noble (and extremely stable) gas Neon.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Is an atom with six electrons more stable than an atom with one?
No. A atom is stable when it has a full valence shell. The way this works is (2,8,8,8...) For an example magnesium which has 12 electrons. Magnesium loses 2 electrons ( so it has 2, 8 and then has a full outer shell) to gain a full outer charge which results in a charge of 2+.
What is the most likely charge for an ion of Mg?
The most likely charge for an ion of magnesium (Mg) is 2+. This is because magnesium has two valence electrons, and it is energetically favorable for it to lose these electrons and achieve a stable octet configuration, resulting in a +2 charge.
Why cant two atoms of magnesium form a covalent molecule?
Achieving the octet is impossible in forming molecules from group 2 elements.However there are molecular species of magnesium as transient species in magnesium vapour, diatomic and also clusters of three or more but these are not stable, as they do not have the octet of electrons.
How many electrons does a stable sodium atom have?
A stable sodium atom has 11 electrons.
How does magnesium can be stable when it loses two electrons?
A Mg2+ ion would not be stable unless it bonds with a negative ion of another element, such as O2- , forming MgO. It could also bond with 2 Cl- ions, forming MgCl2.
Is magnesium stable or unstable?
Keep it away from water (pure magnesium). AKA Dry environment as it can be explosive when it reacts with water.
How many electrons would an atom of magnesium have to lose to have a stable octe?
It'll have to lose two to have a stable octet.
How electrons will magnesium gain or lose to become stable?
lose 2
How many electrons does a magnesium atom need to lose to become stable?
2
Do metals usually gain or loose electrons to be stable?
Metals will LOSE electrons to become stable.
Does Chlorine (Cl) reacts by losing electrons?
Chlorine is a non metal and it reacts by gaining electrons rather than losing inorder to attain a stable electron configuration of the noble gases.
Is an atom with six electrons more stable than an atom with one?
No. A atom is stable when it has a full valence shell. The way this works is (2,8,8,8...) For an example magnesium which has 12 electrons. Magnesium loses 2 electrons ( so it has 2, 8 and then has a full outer shell) to gain a full outer charge which results in a charge of 2+.
Why is a bulb containing magnesium is filled with noble gas instead of air?
It is filled with Argon because air will break down the magnesium. Magnesium has two more electrons than it wants to (all atoms want stability). Noble gases all have the perfect number of valence electrons, so are the most stable elements. The argon in the bulb keeps the magnesium from breaking down because the argon has no need for new electrons. Where oxygen, on the other hand, is not a stable element (it wants two more). Argon will reject any electrons from the magnesium so it will just keep its electrons, therefore not breaking down (as quickly).
How can a magnesium atom bond with oxygen atom?
The magnesium has 2 valence electron while the oxygen misses 2 electron to complete its octet. An atom is always more stable when it has 8 valence electrons. The magnesium will create an ionic bond with the oxygen by giving its 2 electrons to form Magnesium Oxide, MgO.
What element has 12 electrons 12 protons and 14 neutrons?
This would be magnesium, based on the number of protons. Since the protons is equal to the number of electrons it is a neutral atom. Given the number of protons in the atom, the isotope would be magnesium-26.
Why does magnesium nitride form?
In general, metals tend to react with nonmetals because metals achieve a stable electron configuration by giving up electrons, and nonmetals achieve a stabel electron configuration by acquiring electrons, so when they get together, the metal can give electrons to the nonmetal and they both become more stable as a result. Magnesium is a metal, and nitrogen is a nonmetal. Magnesium gives electrons to nitrogen, thus forming magnesium nitride. The atmosphere has 4 times as much nitrogen as oxygen and thus statistically some magnesium nitride will form when magnesium is burning in oxygen. Heat also increases side reactions and the formation of magnesium nitride while magnesium is burning in oxygen is a side reaction. Thus a combination of heat and statistics is the cause of magnesium nitride forming.
Why does magnesium and oxygen form an ionic bond?
Oxygen have 6 electrons on the outer sell so it need 2 more electrons to gain full outer shell. Magnesium have 2 electrons on the outer sell so It have to lose 2 electrons to gain full outer sell. They combine easily by a strong ionic bond. Its formula is MgO, it has no overall charge.
