In what respect does an atom of magnesium differ from amagnesium ion, Mg 2+ ? A.

Question

In what respect does an atom of magnesium differ from amagnesium ion, Mg2+? A. The ion has a inert gas electron configuration; theatom does not B. The positive charge on the nucleus is 2 unitsgreater than the nuclear charge on the atom. Please EXPLAIN your answer. Also EXPLAINchoice B. 2 units greater than the nuclear charge on theatom. In what respect does an atom of magnesium differ from amagnesium ion, Mg2+? A. The ion has a inert gas electron configuration; theatom does not B. The positive charge on the nucleus is 2 unitsgreater than the nuclear charge on the atom. Please EXPLAIN your answer. Also EXPLAINchoice B. 2 units greater than the nuclear charge on theatom.

Explanation / Answer

The answer is A. If Mg loses two electrons (making it have acharge of +2), it will have the same number of electrons as Neon,an inert gas. About B... The nuclear charge on an atom refers to all the charge thatoriginates from the nucleus. Since there are never anyelectrons in a nucleus, all the charge will be due to protons, sothe nuclear charge of Mg is always 12 because that is the atomicnumber of Mg. So, the "positive charge on the nucleus" meansthe same thing as the nuclear charge. Conclusion: answer B pretty much means nothing.

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