Why does magnesium and oxygen form an ionic bond?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

In order for an atom to be stable, it needs to have 8 valence electrons in its outer orbit (but only 2 in the atom's first orbit ex. Helium)

magnesium has 12 electrons; 2 in the first orbit, 8 in the second, and 2 in the third. since the last orbit has less than 4 electrons, it's easier for it to just drop its electrons so the next orbit has 8 and the atom becomes stable.

oxygen has 8 electrons; 2 in the first orbit and 6 in the second.

since its last orbit has more than 4 electrons, it would be easier for it to take 2 more electrons so it would have 8 and be stable.

so what happens is, magnesium will give up its 2 valence electrons and it will now have 8 in its new valence orbit and be stable. Oxygen takes the 2 electrons from magnesium and it now has 8 valence electrons, and its also stable.

Answer 3

Chemical reactions can be thought of as the result of all elements moving toward a more stable arrangement of electrons, which requires eight electrons in the outer shell. Magnesium accomplishes this by getting rid of two electrons, and oxygen accomplishes it by acquiring two additional electrons, so if a magnesium atom gives its two excess electrons to an oxygen atom, they both get what they need very neatly.

Answer 4

Magnesium has two electrons in its outer shell that it loses to achieve stability, forming a 2+ cation. Oxygen gains two electrons to fill its outer shell, forming a 2- anion. The attraction between the oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of an ionic bond between magnesium and oxygen.

Answer 5

oxygen has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 more to become stable
magnesium has 2 valence electrons

magnesium can satisfy oxygen so that they can become stable

Answer 6

The reaction is:
2 Mg + O2 = 2MgO