How does Magnesium become an ion? What is the charge of the Magnesium ion?

Question

a
The magnesium atom gained two electrons. The ion has a positive two charge.
b
The magnesium atom gained two electrons. The ion has a negative two charge.
c
The magnesium atom lost two electrons. The ion has a negative two charge.
d
The magnesium atom lost two electrons. The ion has a positive two charge.

Answer 1

Magnesium (Mg) becomes an ion by losing two electrons from its outer shell. This process occurs because magnesium has two electrons in its outermost energy level (the 3s subshell) and tends to lose these electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration, similar to that of the nearest noble gas (neon).

As a result of losing these two electrons, the magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) has a positive charge of +2.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

d The magnesium atom lost two electrons. The ion has a positive two charge.