The law of duplet says that elements having two electrons in their valence shell are found to be stable. What about calcium and magnesium? They have two electrons in their valence
shells but they're not actually stable.

Question

The law of duplet says that elements having two electrons in their valence shell are found to be stable. What about calcium and magnesium? They have two electrons in their valence 
shells but they're not actually stable.

owlfred · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

In the case of Ca and Mg though the outer most orbital contains two electrons, they have vaccant  p and d orbital. Hence they are not actually stable

anonymous · Answer

Oh.Thanks!

anonymous · Answer

The s orbitals are full in Ca and Mg, but the p orbitals are empty.  The d orbitals are also empty, but due to energy level stuff the 4s orbital fills before the 3d orbital does.  This is why Ca is next to Sc, a transition metal, and Mg is not.