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Magnesium acts similar to sodium when forming an ionic bond in terms of losing or gaining electrons.

What is the most likely way in which an atom of magnesium (Mg) will satisfy the octet rule when it forms bonds?

by losing two electrons
by losing four electrons
by gaining six electrons
by gaining eight electrons

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
By losing two electrons.

Magnesium has the electron configuration [Ne] 3s2. Losing the two 3s electrons gives Mg2+ with the noble-gas configuration of neon (an octet). Gaining six electrons to reach an octet would require far more energy and is not favorable.