MolE 3a:
More about smallest particles during combustion
of magnesium During the reaction of magnesium and oxygen their atoms
(Mg + O) are transformed into ions
= particles with positive or
negative charges.
a) How the atoms are transformed into Mg2++
O2+ions
during combustion:
Magnesium atoms (12Mg) have 2 electrons more than atoms
of the noble gas neon (10Ne), oxygen atoms (8O)
have 2 electrons less than atoms of the noble gas neon (10Ne).
An electron exchange takes
place between the Mg and the O atoms:
Mg donates 2 electrons, O accepts these 2 electrons. Mg
- 2e- --> Mg2+ //O
+ 2e- ---> O2- The resulting ions have the same number of electrons
like atoms of the noble gas neon (10Ne).
b) How the Mg2++ O2+ions
form a lattice during combustion:
The ions attract each other due to their unlike charges forming a crystal
lattice.
Photo: In magnesium oxide MgO(s) the positive magnesium ions (Mg2+)
and the negative oxide ions (O2-) are arranged similar
to the yellow and green beads.
