Question

If the elements Na, Mg, and Al were to lose electrons to attain the nearest inert gas configuration, which ions do they convert to what is the relationship between these ions.

Answer 1

Attaining inert gas configuration

• The nearest inert gas configuration of Na, Mg, and Al is 2, 8 which is the electronic configuration of Neon
• To attain inert gas configuration, we need to know the electronic configuration of N, O, and F

Electronic configuration of Na = 2, 8, 1

Electronic configuration of Mg = 2, 8, 2

Electronic configuration of Al = 2, 8, 3

• To attain the nearest inert gas configuration, sodium should give up one electron, magnesium give up 2 electrons and aluminum gives up 3 electrons, The electrons they give up to attain the octet configuration can be termed as valency that is, the combining capacity of those atoms
• Hence they converted to ions, when they gain electrons they become anions, and when they give up electrons they become cations.
• In the case of sodium, it gives up one electron and becomes a cation ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$.
• In the case of magnesium, it gives up 2 electrons and becomes a cation ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{+2}$
• In the case of aluminum, it gives up 3 electrons and becomes a cation ${\mathrm{Al}}^{+3}$
• The relationship between these ions is electropositivity. along a period from left to right electropositivity decreases
• Hence the decreasing order of electropositivity is Na>Mg>Al