Question

Using Lewis symbols, diagram the reaction between magnesium and oxygen atoms to give the ionic substance \(\mathrm{MgO}\).

Short answer

Using Lewis symbols, the reaction between magnesium and oxygen atoms to form MgO is illustrated as: Mg: Mg •• O: O •• |••| Mg •• + O •• |••| ↓ Mg O →→ Mg²⁺ O²⁻ Mg²⁺ + O²⁻ → MgO In this reaction, magnesium loses its 2 valence electrons to oxygen, forming Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions that attract each other and create the ionic compound magnesium oxide (MgO).

Step-by-step solution

Understand Lewis symbols

Lewis symbols are a way to represent atoms and their valence electrons using symbols. The symbol of the element is written, and around it, dots are added to represent the valence electrons. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom and are involved in chemical bonding. For example, Magnesium (Mg) has 2 valence electrons, so its Lewis symbol would be Mg with 2 dots around it, like this: Mg ••

Write the Lewis symbols for magnesium and oxygen atoms

Now that we understand what Lewis symbols are, let's write them for magnesium and oxygen atoms. As mentioned earlier, magnesium has 2 valence electrons, while oxygen has 6 valence electrons. Their Lewis symbols are written as: Mg: Mg •• O: O •• |••|

Show the electron transfer

In the reaction to form MgO, magnesium loses its 2 valence electrons to oxygen. This transfer of electrons leads to the formation of a positively charged magnesium ion (Mg2+) and a negatively charged oxygen ion (O2−). The electron transfer can be illustrated as follows: Mg •• + O •• |••| ↓ Mg O →→ Mg²⁺ O²⁻

Demonstrate the formation of MgO

Now that we have shown the electron transfer and formation of Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions, we can demonstrate the formation of MgO. The positive Mg²⁺ ion and the negative O²⁻ ion will attract each other due to electrostatic forces, forming an ionic bond. This leads to the formation of the ionic compound magnesium oxide (MgO): Mg²⁺ + O²⁻ → MgO In conclusion, we have used Lewis symbols to illustrate the electron transfer and formation of the MgO ionic compound. Magnesium loses its 2 valence electrons to oxygen, resulting in a positively charged Mg²⁺ ion and a negatively charged O²⁻ ion. These ions attract each other, forming an ionic bond and the ionic compound magnesium oxide (MgO).