Multiple Choice
Which part of the atom is primarily involved in chemical bonding?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
Multiple Choice
When the compound MgO is formed, what occurs between magnesium and oxygen atoms?
A
Magnesium shares electrons with oxygen to form a covalent bond.
B
Magnesium and oxygen form a metallic bond by pooling their electrons.
C
Magnesium loses two electrons to oxygen, forming Mg^{2+} and O^{2-} ions that bond ionically.
D
Oxygen loses electrons to magnesium, forming O^{2+} and Mg^{2-} ions.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the types of elements involved: Magnesium (Mg) is a metal and oxygen (O) is a nonmetal.
Recall that metals tend to lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons.
Understand that when magnesium reacts with oxygen, magnesium loses two electrons to form a Mg^{2+} ion, and oxygen gains two electrons to form an O^{2-} ion.
Recognize that the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged Mg^{2+} ion and the negatively charged O^{2-} ion results in the formation of an ionic bond.
Conclude that the compound MgO is held together by ionic bonding due to the transfer of electrons from magnesium to oxygen.
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