Question

Magnesium oxide is a binary ionic compound. From its formula, MgO, how do you know that Mg is the metal?

Answer 1

Magnesium is a metal on the periodic table

Answer 2

Answer:

According to formula, magnesium gives electron forming a cation which is the property of metals according to periodic table.

Explanation:

• Mg has a valency of two electrons which means it has two electron in the valence shell. It gives two electrons to an oxygen atom which becomes a anion.
• They form two ionic bond forming MgO.
• And the atoms of valency two are present in 2nd column which contains metals.
• Hence from formula, it can be known that Mg is a metal.