Ionic Bond Chemistry Example 4

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Example 4

medium
Describe how magnesium and oxygen form an ionic bond in magnesium oxide (MgO\text{MgO}).

Solution

  1. 1
    Magnesium loses 2 electrons to become Mg2+\text{Mg}^{2+}, and oxygen gains those 2 electrons to become O2−\text{O}^{2-}.
  2. 2
    The oppositely charged ions attract each other strongly, forming an ionic bond and the compound magnesium oxide.

Answer

Mg2+\text{Mg}^{2+} transfers 2 electrons to oxygen, forming O2−\text{O}^{2-}, and the ions attract.
Ionic bonding happens through electron transfer followed by electrostatic attraction. Metals tend to lose electrons, while nonmetals tend to gain them.

About Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, created when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another atom.

Learn more about Ionic Bond →

More Ionic Bond Examples

Example 1 easy

Show how magnesium and oxygen form an ionic bond in [formula].

Example 2 medium

Predict the formula of the ionic compound formed between aluminum and oxygen.

Example 3 easy

Write the formula for the ionic compound formed by lithium and fluorine.

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