How do atoms of magnesium react with molecules in air to form compounds?
Magnesium ribbon burns in air with an extremely bright white light, giving off a large amount of energy, and white smoke with is mostly magnesium oxide in very fine particles. The magnesium ribbon easily crumbles into a white powder which is a mixture of magnesium oxide (about 90%) and magnesium nitride (about 10%). since air is a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gases, both elements react with the magnesium metal. Graphic in a new window Magnesium Oxide: Determine the formula of a compound formed by the reaction of magnesium and oxygen. Solution: First examine the electron arrangement of the magnesium and oxygen atoms. Symbol Atomic No. Bohr diagram Group No. Lewis Dots Mg 12 2 – 8 – 2 2 2 O 8 2 – 6 6 6 Write the Lewis symbols for each atom. See graphic on the left. Determine the numbers of electrons which the atoms will lose and gain by applying the Octet Rule. Mg loses two electrons to have an octet. Oxygen gains two electrons to have an octet. Mg Atom Mg Ion O Atom O Ion 12 p+ 12 p+
