How do magnesium atoms form ions? What about oxygen atoms?
Magnesium atoms form ions by losing two electrons, while oxygen atoms form ions by gaining two electrons. Let me explain in more detail how this happens.
Magnesium is an element found in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it has two valence electrons in its outermost energy level. To achieve a stable electron configuration, magnesium tends to lose these two electrons. By losing these electrons, magnesium forms a positive ion with a charge of +2. This is because the number of protons in the nucleus remains the same while the number of electrons decreases, resulting in a net positive charge.
To form an oxygen ion, oxygen, found in Group 16 of the periodic table, needs to gain two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Oxygen atoms have six valence electrons, and by gaining two more electrons, the number of electrons equals the number of protons in the nucleus once again. Hence, oxygen forms a negative ion with a charge of -2. The extra electrons contribute to an overall negative charge.
In summary, magnesium atoms form positive ions by losing two electrons, while oxygen atoms form negative ions by gaining two electrons. This change in electron configuration allows both elements to achieve a stable and balanced state.