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There is only one oxygen ion per magnesium oxide compound. Even though oxygen is a diatomic molecule, each atom in this O2 molecule has six electrons in its outer energy level. Magnesium has two electrons in its outer shell. Consequently, only one oxygen atom and one magnesium atom are needed to form the compound MgO, which is stable and unreactive. The following link has diagrams and perhaps a clearer explanation.

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15y ago
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14y ago

Magnesium has only one oxidation state which is +2 so other magnesium ion is not possible and hence its oxidation state is not mentioned, in case of transition metals as iron more than one oxidation states are possible as Fe+2 and Fe+3 so it is necessary to mention either Iron 2 or Iron 3.

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7y ago

Magnesium has two valence electrons and becomes stable by losing both of them.

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Q: Why is magnesium oxide not called magnesium dioxide as there are 2 oxygen atoms?
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Related questions

How many oxygen atoms are there in dioxide molecules?

There are 2 oxygen atoms in dioxide


How many potassium atoms and how many oxygen atoms are in magnesium nitrate?

Magnesium nitrate is MgNO3 and there are one magnesium atom one nitrogen atom three oxygen atoms no potassium atoms


What atoms are in magnesium oxide?

Magnesium oxide contains magnesium and oxygen.


The number and kind of atoms or ions contained in the following compound MgO?

The compound is called: magnesium oxide. Therefore, there are magnesium and oxygen atoms in the compound. The ions are: Mg2+ and O2-.


Why magnesiam oxide is not attacked by atmospheric oxygen?

The magnesium has reacted already with as much oxygen that it can (1 atom of oxygen to 1 atom of magnesium). There are no spare magnesium atoms left so the reaction has stopped, There is no energetically favourable way that further oxygen atoms can react.


Is there oxygen in carbon dioxide?

Yes, two atoms per molecule in fact. The name, dioxide, indicates that there are oxygen atoms (hence the "oxide"). The formula, CO2, shows two oxygen atoms (O2)


What type of organism is carbon dioxide oxygen?

Neither carbon dioxide nor oxygen are organisms. Oxygen is a diatomic molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms. Carbon dioxide is a compound consisting of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.


What elements make up sulphate?

Magnesium sulfate is composed of the atoms of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.


What element makes up dioxide?

Dioxide is two oxygen atoms.


Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide?

CO2 AND SO2 - dioxide is two oxygen atoms.


What are the names of the atoms that means carbon dioxide?

Carbon, Oxygen, Oxygen


What elements make up magnesuium sulphate?

Magnesium sulfate is composed of the atoms of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.