What is the difference between the representations Mg and Mg 2+?
Please help!!!
The difference between the representations Mg and Mg 2+ lies in the charge of the magnesium ion.
To understand this difference, we need to know the concept of ions and their charges.
Mg represents a neutral atom of magnesium, which means it has an equal number of protons and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. Therefore, in a neutral atom, the positive charges cancel out the negative charges, resulting in a net charge of zero.
On the other hand, Mg 2+ represents a magnesium ion with a charge of +2. This means that the magnesium atom has lost two electrons, resulting in an overall positive charge. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes an ion and has a positive charge. In the case of Mg 2+, the charge indicates that the ion has lost two electrons, leaving behind 10 electrons and 12 protons.
To determine the charge of an ion, we need to consider the number of valence electrons in the atom. In the case of magnesium, it has two valence electrons in its outermost energy level. Since atoms tend to gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, magnesium tends to lose two electrons to achieve a noble gas-like electron configuration similar to neon. This loss of electrons leads to the formation of an Mg 2+ ion with a positive charge.
In summary, Mg represents a neutral magnesium atom, while Mg 2+ represents a positively charged magnesium ion that has lost two electrons.