Question #392db

1 Answer
May 28, 2016

Hey Kelly,

Answer is pretty straightforward

Firstly we need to know how does the atom of Magnesium(Mg) looks like here

chemistry.about.com

It has 2 electrons in first orbit , 8 electrons in second orbit ,
and 2 electrons in third orbit .

So it needs to get rid of 2 electrons to reach nearest stable configuration which is 2,8 .

Clearly these two electrons are not just going to pop out.There needs to be some energy to take those electrons out which you to form an intuition can be considered attraction from other negatively
charged atoms like chlorine

Anyway so in summary this energy is called Ionisation Enthalpy

For any cation X(cations are elements which tends to lose electrons)

# X + # Energy # → X^+ + e^ −#

X is atom or atoms of cationic element

Energy is ionisation enthalpy required

#X^+# is cation

#e^-# is lost electron

In our case on right side applying some energy on Mg it loses two electrons so finally on right side two electrons are separated.

#Mg +# Energy #→Mg^(2+)+2e^-#

Hopefully that helps

If you have any further queries