Question

magnesium oxide
the diagram shows the reaction between magnesium (mg) and oxygen (o) to form magnesium oxide (mgo).

1. which pair of atoms are ions?
2. how would the interaction of the atoms and their electrons differ in a diagram of a covalent bond?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the definition of ions

Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have gained or lost electrons. In the formation of magnesium oxide (\(MgO\)), magnesium (\(Mg\)) loses two electrons to become \(Mg^{2 +}\) (a cation) and oxygen (\(O\)) gains two electrons to become \(O^{2-}\) (an anion). Looking at the diagram, in Part B, the atoms have charge - like behavior (due to electron gain/loss).

Step2: Analyze covalent bond electron interaction

In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons instead of transferring them. So, in a diagram of a covalent bond, there would be no transfer of electrons from one atom to another as seen in the ionic bond (for \(MgO\) formation). Instead, electrons would be shown as being shared between the atoms.

Answer:

1. The pair of atoms in Part B are ions.
2. In a diagram of a covalent bond, atoms would share electrons rather than one atom transferring electrons to another.