Certainly! Let's diagram the reaction between magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O) atoms to form the ionic compound magnesium oxide (MgO) using Lewis symbols. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
### Step 1: Write the Lewis Symbols for Mg and O Atoms
- Magnesium (Mg) has 2 valence electrons because it is in Group 2 of the periodic table: \( \text{Mg} : \cdot \cdot \)
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons because it is in Group 16 (VI A) of the periodic table: \( \text{O} : \cdot \cdot : \)
### Step 2: Show the Transfer of Electrons
- Magnesium will lose its 2 valence electrons to become a magnesium ion (\( \text{Mg}^{2+} \)).
- Oxygen will gain these 2 electrons to become an oxide ion (\( \text{O}^{2-} \)).
### Step 3: Illustrate the Transfer Using Lewis Symbols
First, represent the initial state of the atoms:
[tex]\[
\text{Mg} : \cdot \cdot \quad \text{+} \quad : \cdot \cdot \text{O} : \cdot \cdot
\][/tex]
Next, show the transfer process:
[tex]\[
\text{Mg} : \cdot \cdot \quad \longrightarrow \quad \text{Mg}^{2+} + 2e^-
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
: \cdot \cdot \text{O} : \cdot \cdot + 2e^- \quad \longrightarrow \quad : \cdot : \ddot{\text{O}}^{2-} : \cdot :
\][/tex]
### Step 4: Combine the Ions to Form \( \text{MgO} \)
After the transfer, magnesium and oxygen are present as ions:
[tex]\[
\text{Mg}^{2+} \quad \text{and} \quad : \cdot \ddot{\text{O}}^{2-}
\][/tex]
Bring these ions together to indicate the formation of the ionic compound \( \text{MgO} \):
[tex]\[
\text{Mg}^{2+} + \ddot{\text{O}}^{2-}
\][/tex]
### Conclusion
The Lewis symbol diagram and chemical reaction can be summarized as follows. Initially:
[tex]\[
\text{Mg} : \cdot \cdot \quad \text{+} \quad : \cdot \cdot \text{O} : \cdot \cdot
\][/tex]
During the reaction:
[tex]\[
\text{Mg} : \cdot \cdot \quad \longrightarrow \quad \text{Mg}^{2+} + 2e^-
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
: \cdot \cdot \text{O} : \cdot \cdot + 2e^- \quad \longrightarrow \quad \ddot{\text{O}}^{2-}
\][/tex]
After the transfer, the result is:
[tex]\[ \text{Mg}^{2+} \quad \cdot \cdot \text{O}^{2-} : \][/tex]
And thus, the ionic compound that forms is [tex]\( \text{MgO} \)[/tex].
