As Figure 1 illustrates, sodium (Na) only has one electron in its outer electron shell. It takes less energy for sodium to donate that one electron than it does to accept seven more electrons to fill the outer shell. ... Again, it is more energy-efficient for chlorine to gain one electron than to lose seven.
Why does magnesium tend to lose electrons?
Magnesium is in Group II and has two electrons in its valence shell . Thus it tends to lose two electrons. In this case, the next set of electrons closer to the nucleus is the new valence shell, and it is full.
Why does sodium tend to only lose one electron while magnesium tends to lose two?
As Figure 1 illustrates, sodium (Na) only has one electron in its outer electron shell. It takes less energy for sodium to donate that one electron than it does to accept seven more electrons to fill the outer shell. ... Again, it is more energy-efficient for chlorine to gain one electron than to lose seven.
Does sodium lose 2 electrons?
A sodium atom can lose its outer electron . It will still have 11 positive protons but only 10 negative electrons. So, the overall charge is +1. ... Ions with greater charge include a number in their symbol, for example Al 3 + (which has three positive charges).
Does magnesium gain or lose 2 electrons?
Valence Electrons and Octets
When an element loses electrons it commonly does so until all valence electrons are gone; thus, magnesium with 2 valence electrons will react to become Mg 2 + , magnesium cation by losing the 2 valence electrons.
Is sodium losing an electron exothermic?
1 Approved Answer
Always losing an electron(ionization) is endothermic .
How many electrons are gained or lost in sodium?
| Element Number of Valence Electrons # of electrons gained or lost to fill outer energy level | Sodium 7 +1 | Chlorine 1 -1 | Beryllium 6 +2 | Fluorine 1 +1 |
|---|
Why is it so easy for a magnesium to lose two electrons?
Why is it so easy for a magnesium atom to lose two electrons? These two electrons are well shielded from the nuclear charge . ... The loose electrons reflect most wavelengths of light.
Will magnesium lose or gain electrons?
Magnesium has a total of 12 electrons – 2 in the innermost shell, 8 in the second shell, and two electrons in its valence shell (third shell). Magnesium acquires a full octet by losing 2 electrons and emptying out its outermost shell.
Is magnesium stable?
At normal temperatures it is stable in air and water because of the formation of a thin protective skin of oxide, but it is attacked by steam. Magnesium is a powerful reducing agent and is used to produce other metals from their compounds (e.g., titanium, zirconium, and hafnium). It reacts directly with many elements.
How many electrons does sodium lose in chlorine to form an ionic bond?
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a typical ionic compound. The picture below shows both a sodium and a chlorine ion. Sodium has 1 electron in its outermost shell, and chlorine has 7 electrons . It is easiest for sodium to lose its electron and form a +1 ion, and for chlorine to gain an electron, forming a -1 ion.
Why do sodium and chlorine stick together?
The sodium ions and chloride ions are held together by the strong electrostatic attractions between the positive and negative charges . You need one sodium atom to provide the extra electron for one chlorine atom, so they combine together 1:1.
Which elements are likely lose electrons?
Elements that are metals tend to lose electrons and become positively charged ions called cations. Elements that are nonmetals tend to gain electrons and become negatively charged ions called anions. Metals that are located in column 1A of the periodic table form ions by losing one electron.
What happens if magnesium loses two electrons?
Magnesium, Mg
It has two electrons in its outer shell. When these electrons are lost, a magnesium ion, Mg 2 + , is formed . A magnesium ion has the same electronic structure as a neon atom (Ne).
Can magnesium lose 3 electrons?
The atoms of elements can gain or lose electrons and become ions. ... The atoms of elements which lose electrons develop a positive charge, such as the aluminum ion, Al3+ , which results when an aluminum atom loses three electrons; or the magnesium ion, Mg2+ , which results when a magnesium atom loses two electrons.
How many stable electrons does magnesium have?
Now, magnesium, Mg , has 2 valence electrons. In order to complete its octet, it must get to 8 valence electrons . The only way for magnesium to accomplish this is to give up its two valence electrons and have one of its filled energy levels become the valence shell, i.e. the outermost energy level.
