Magnesium has 2 valence electrons, and oxygen has 6 valence electrons. Which type of bonding is likely to occur between a magnesium atom and an oxygen atom?
Ionic—Magnesium will give 2 electrons to oxygen, and both will become ions.
Ionic—Oxygen will give 2 electrons to magnesium, and both will become ions.
Metallic—Oxygen and magnesium atoms will be surrounded by a pool of electrons.
The correct response would be 1. Ionic - magnesium will give 2 electrons to oxygen, and both will become ions, and then form an ionic bond due to the electrostatic attractions of the complete ionic charges.
