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there are two electrons in magnesiums outer shell, and 6 in oxygens. In magnesium oxide the electrons from Mg are donated in order to give both elements complete outer shells

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What is the polyatomic ion oxide?

The polyatomic ion oxide is O2-, which consists of two oxygen atoms with a charge of -1. This ion is commonly found in compounds such as magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Oxoanions containing oxygen and other elements can also form polyatomic ions with the oxide ion.


What bond will Magnesium and Oxygen form?

Magnesium and Oxygen will form an ionic bond, resulting in the compound magnesium oxide. Magnesium will lose two electrons to become Mg^2+ while oxygen will gain two electrons to become O^2-. The positively charged magnesium ion and negatively charged oxygen ion will attract each other to form the bond.


What type of chemical reaction is magnesium oxide?

Magnesium Oxide is a compound, not a reaction. However if you are talking about making magnesium oxide from its individual elements, that would be a redox reaction. In this reaction, magnesium is going from a zero oxidation state to a +2 oxidation state. If you think of the acronym OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Lost Reduction Is Gained) Magnesium is being oxidized as it has lost two electrons. As well, the oxygen is gaining two electrons to have a -2 charge and is therefore being reduced hence the term redox.


How many ions of magnesium and oxygen would you need to make an electrically neutral compound?

You would need one magnesium ion (Mg^2+) and two oxygen ions (O^2-) to form an electrically neutral compound like magnesium oxide (MgO). The 2+ charge on the magnesium ion balances the 2- charge of the two oxygen ions, resulting in a neutral compound.


Why is magnesium oxide not called magnesium dioxide as there are 2 oxygen atoms?

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.

Related Questions

An oxide ion is oxidized to an oxygen atom by what?

An oxygen atom can only be oxidized by some element with an equal or higher electronegativity. So, oxygen can be oxidized by fluorine (e.g., OF2) or by another oxygen atom (e.g., O2).


What is the polyatomic ion oxide?

The polyatomic ion oxide is O2-, which consists of two oxygen atoms with a charge of -1. This ion is commonly found in compounds such as magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Oxoanions containing oxygen and other elements can also form polyatomic ions with the oxide ion.


Can the proportions of magnesium and oxygen in magnesium oxide be changed?

No. Magnesium oxide, MgO, is a compound, which means it is a pure substance, in which the magnesium and oxygen are present in definite proportions, in this case 1:1. This is in accordance to the law of definite proportions, which states that every pure substance always contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by weight. Also, magnesium ions have a charge of 2+ and oxide ions have a charge of 2-, so that one magnesium ion combined with one oxide ion balances to an overall charge of zero.


What are the ions and the correct formula for magnesium oxide?

the ions are 67 and one half since the molecular structuere


What bond will Magnesium and Oxygen form?

Magnesium and Oxygen will form an ionic bond, resulting in the compound magnesium oxide. Magnesium will lose two electrons to become Mg^2+ while oxygen will gain two electrons to become O^2-. The positively charged magnesium ion and negatively charged oxygen ion will attract each other to form the bond.


What type of chemical reaction is magnesium oxide?

Magnesium Oxide is a compound, not a reaction. However if you are talking about making magnesium oxide from its individual elements, that would be a redox reaction. In this reaction, magnesium is going from a zero oxidation state to a +2 oxidation state. If you think of the acronym OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Lost Reduction Is Gained) Magnesium is being oxidized as it has lost two electrons. As well, the oxygen is gaining two electrons to have a -2 charge and is therefore being reduced hence the term redox.


Magnesium oxide is an ionic compound represented by the formula unit?

The formula unit of magnesium oxide is MgO, composed of one magnesium ion (Mg2+) and one oxide ion (O2-). It forms a white solid with high melting and boiling points due to its ionic nature. Magnesium oxide is commonly used in agriculture, medicine, and various industrial applications.


How many ions of magnesium and oxygen would you need to make an electrically neutral compound?

You would need one magnesium ion (Mg^2+) and two oxygen ions (O^2-) to form an electrically neutral compound like magnesium oxide (MgO). The 2+ charge on the magnesium ion balances the 2- charge of the two oxygen ions, resulting in a neutral compound.


When an atom of magnesium forms an ionic bond with an atom of oxygen which will gain electrons?

Magnesium has a charge of 2+ and oxygen 2- Magnesium will lose the two "extra electrons" in its valence shell when creating an ionic bond with oxygen. The oxygen will gain these two electrons.


Why is magnesium oxide not called magnesium dioxide as there are 2 oxygen atoms?

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.


What is the ion charge formed by oxygen?

Oxygen typically forms an ion with a charge of -2, called oxide ion.


Describe the structure of sodium chloride and magnesium oxide as solids?

Sodium chloride has a crystalline structure where each sodium ion is surrounded by six chloride ions and vice versa. Magnesium oxide has a three-dimensional lattice structure in which magnesium ions are surrounded by oxygen ions and vice versa.