Is magnesium a metal or a nonmetal? How many valence electrons does a magnesium atom have?
Answer (1)
Magnesium is a metal.
The electron configuration of magnesium is 1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p 6 3 s 2 .
Magnesium has 2 valence electrons in its outermost shell ( 3 s 2 ).
Therefore, magnesium is a metal with 2 valence electrons.
Explanation
Problem Analysis Let's analyze the problem. We need to identify whether magnesium is a metal or a nonmetal and determine the number of valence electrons it has. To do this, we'll use our knowledge of the periodic table and electron configurations.
Identifying Magnesium as a Metal Magnesium (Mg) is located in Group 2 of the periodic table, also known as the alkaline earth metals. Elements in this group are metals.
Electron Configuration of Magnesium To determine the number of valence electrons, we need to look at the electron configuration of magnesium. Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, so a neutral magnesium atom has 12 electrons. The electron configuration is 1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p 6 3 s 2 .
Determining Valence Electrons The valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell. In the case of magnesium, the outermost shell is the third shell ( n = 3 ), which contains 2 electrons in the 3 s subshell. Therefore, magnesium has 2 valence electrons.
Final Answer In summary, magnesium is a metal, and it has 2 valence electrons.
Examples
Understanding the properties of elements like magnesium is crucial in various fields. For example, in chemistry, knowing that magnesium is a metal with 2 valence electrons helps predict its reactivity and bonding behavior with other elements. In materials science, magnesium's properties influence its use in alloys and lightweight structural materials. Moreover, in biology, magnesium plays a vital role in enzyme function and chlorophyll structure in plants. This knowledge enables scientists and engineers to design new materials, develop chemical processes, and understand biological systems more effectively.
