A chemical property of magnesium metal, Mg (s) , is that it reacts with oxygen, O₂ (g) , to produce magnesium oxide, MgO, as shown below. How does each element in the compound MgO attain an octet of electrons?
2 Mg (s) + O₂ (g) →2 MgO (s)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the reaction, magnesium metal (Mg) loses two electrons to become Mg2+ ions, while oxygen gas (O2) accepts two electrons to become O2- ions. These ions then combine to form magnesium oxide (MgO) in which each ion is surrounded by eight electrons (an octet). Therefore, the correct answer is A, where a magnesium atom loses two electrons and the oxygen atom accepts the two electrons.

A Chemical Property of Magnesium Metal, Mg (S), Is That