What is the ground-state electron configuration for the Mg 2+ ion? (LO 6.1) (a) 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 (b) 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 (c) 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 2 (d) 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6

Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory

Problem 1

Chapter 6, Problem 1

What is the ground-state electron configuration for the Mg²⁺ ion? (LO 6.1) (a) 1s²2s²2p⁶ (b) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s² (c) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² (d) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the atomic number of magnesium (Mg), which is 12. This means a neutral Mg atom has 12 electrons.

Step 2: Write the electron configuration for a neutral Mg atom: 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2.

Step 3: Recognize that Mg^2+ indicates the magnesium ion has lost 2 electrons.

Step 4: Remove 2 electrons from the outermost shell (3s orbital) of the neutral Mg electron configuration.

Step 5: The resulting electron configuration for Mg^2+ is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6.

Related Practice

Label the following species as molecules or ions. (a) NO₃^– (b) NH₄⁺ (d) CH₃CO₂^–

What noble-gas configurations and charge are the following elements likely to attain in reactions in which they form ions? (a) N (c) S (d) Br