Question:
Metal M, with two electrons in its valence shell (M shell), reacts with oxygen to form a compound that is slightly soluble in water. Predict its:
(A) formula
(B) type of bond
(C) electrical conductivity of its aqueous solution. [Pg. No. 179]
Answer:
Verified
Metal M has two electrons in its valence shell (M shell), so its electronic configuration is 2,8,2. This indicates that the metal is magnesium (Mg). Magnesium loses two electrons to form Mg²⁺ ions. Oxygen gains two electrons to form O²⁻ ions. Therefore, they combine in a 1:1 ratio to form magnesium oxide.
(A) MgO
(B) Ionic bond
(C) The aqueous solution conducts electricity weakly/to a small extent, because magnesium oxide is only slightly soluble in water and produces a small number of ions.
