Question

A magnesium atom changes to magnesium ion by losing _____

Answer 1

• Magnesium (Mg) is a second group element with atomic number 12.
• An electrically neutral atom will have an equal number of protons and electrons. Hence magnesium will have 12 electrons as well.
• The electronic configuration: 2,8,2.
• In the valence shell, it has 2 electrons.
• By losing those 2 electrons magnesium can get a stable octet configuration.
• Thus magnesium atoms will lose 2 electrons to become a magnesium ion.
• $\mathrm{Mg}\to {\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$

Hence, a magnesium atom changes to a magnesium ion by losing 2 electrons.