Magnesium has two valence electrons, and oxygen has six valence electrons. What type of bonding is likely to occur between a magnesium atom and an oxygen atom?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Ionic.

anonymous · Answer

Magnesium will give its two valence electrons to oxygen and it will have a charge of 2+(positive). It will also complete its octet, getting balanced.
Oxygen will take two electrons from magnesium getting a charge of 2-(negative). It will also complete its octet.

When making the formula, the two charges will cancel out each other giving the formula MgO.

It is an ionic bond