QuestionWhich element is most likely to form a +2 ion: K, Sc, Al, O, or Mg?
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
Assumptions1. We are dealing with neutral atoms in their ground state.
. The atom that is most likely to form a + ion is the one that can lose two electrons most easily.
3. The ease of losing electrons is determined by the atom's position in the periodic table.
STEP 2
The atom's position in the periodic table determines its electron configuration. Atoms in the same group (vertical column) have similar electron configurations and exhibit similar chemical behavior.
STEP 3
The atom that can lose two electrons most easily is the one that can achieve a stable electron configuration by doing so. This is typically an atom with two electrons in its outermost energy level.
STEP 4
Looking at the options, we can see that (Potassium) has one electron in its outermost energy level, (Scandium) has two electrons in its outermost energy level but it is a transition metal and does not typically form a +2 ion, (Aluminum) has three electrons in its outermost energy level, $$ (xygen) has six electrons in its outermost energy level and typically gains two electrons to form a -2 ion, and $\mathrm{Mg}$ (Magnesium) has two electrons in its outermost energy level.
STEP 5
From the above analysis, we can see that (Magnesium) is the atom that can lose two electrons most easily to achieve a stable electron configuration.
So, the atom most likely to form a +2 ion is (Magnesium).
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