Question

Give reasons for the following:
In the formation of MgO the magnesium atom (at. no. 12) loses two electrons from it’s valence shell.

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Answer

Electronic configuration of Mg (Z = 12) = 2, 8, 2

Electronic configuration of O (Z = 8) = 2, 6

Mg (metal) has a tendency to lose two valence electrons and attain a stable state (Ne = 2,8). On the other hand, O (non-metal) has a tendency to gain two electron and attain a stable state (Ne = 2,8). Hence, when the two atoms fuse together to form MgO, then Mg loses two electrons and O gains two electrons and they fo

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Chemical Bonding

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(i) The bond between two elements in group 17[VIIA] of the periodic table is likely to be ____ [ionic/covalent].
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