Question

Magnesium (atomic number= 12) will form a/an ________ to attain the nearest noble gas configuration.

Answer 1

• The atomic number of magnesium is 12. The electronic configuration is 2,8,2.
• Magnesium atom needs to lose two electrons to attain the nearest noble gas configuration.
• Atoms that lose electrons acquire a positive charge because they are left with fewer electrons to balance the positive charge of the protons in the nucleus. Such positively charged ions are called cations.