Question

Illustrate the formation of magnesium ion from magnesium atom.

Answer 1

Formation of magnesium ion from magnesium atom:

1. Magnesium atom $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{Mg}\mathbf{\right)}$ has atomic number $12$. Thus, electronic configuration of magnesium atom is $(2,8,2)$.
2. Magnesium atom loses two electrons from the outermost shell.
3. On losing two electrons, a positively charged magnesium ion $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{Mg}}^{\mathbf{2}\mathbf{+}}\mathbf{\right)}$ having two positive charges is formed.

Thus, magnesium atom $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{Mg}\mathbf{\right)}$ loses two electrons and forms magnesium ion $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{Mg}}^{\mathbf{2}\mathbf{+}}\mathbf{\right)}$.