magnesium question?

Question

Why is it unlikely for magnesium to form a cation with a charge of +1?

Answer 1

This question depends on how much chemistry you have... Both Mg+ and Mg2+ do not exist by themselves. The stability of either one depends on the energy involved in the process of making magnesium compounds. For example, in the process of making chloride salt of magnesium, the energies involved include ionization energies as well as lattive energy. The lattice energy in making MgCl2 is very exothermic and so compensate for the endothermic ionization energies so the overall process is more stable than making MgCl...

Answer 2

Magnesium is in group 2A on the periodic table. It is an active metal. Active metals react to give away all of their valence electrons as quickly as possible. Magnesium has 2 valence electrons (that's why it is in group 2A) so it will give away 2 electrons. Of course it gives away one at a time, but this happens so quickly that you would not even notice the 1+ charge after giving away the first electron before it becomes a 2+ charge.

Answer 3

The best way to explain it is, the element is most stable with it's electron configuration similar to that of a noble gas. If Mg2+ were to loose 2 electons, it would have a the same electron configuration as Ne. If Mg were to loose 1 electron, it would have the same electron configuration as sodium... which also unstable and oxidizes quite readily. The effect of electron shielding of lower energy levels shielding the 3s orbital can explain most of this effect.