Full question options;
(Fe, Pb, Mg, or Ca)
Answer:
Iron - Fe
Explanation:
We understand tht metals pretty much form bonds by losing their valence (outermost electrons). But this question specifically asks for metals that lose beyond their outermost electrons; next to outermost principal energy levels.
Pb, Mg, and Ca only lose their outermost electrons to form the following ions;
Pb2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+.
This is because their ions have achieved a stable octet configuration - the dreamland of atoms where they are satisfied and don't need to go into reactions again.
Iron on the other hand has the following electronic configurations;
Fe: [Ar]4s2 3d6
Fe2+: [Ar]4s0 3d6
Fe3+: [Ar]4s0 3d5
This means ion can lose both the ooutermost electrons (4s) and next to outermost principal energy levels (3d). So correct option is Iron.
