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What is the correct electron configuration for magnesium?

  1. A
    1s² 2s²
  2. B
    . 1s² 2s² 2p⁶
  3. C
    1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²
  4. D
    1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹

Topic Flashcards

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Question

What is the total number of electrons you must distribute when writing the ground-state electron configuration for a neutral atom of magnesium (atomic number 12)?

Answer

12 electrons.

Question

Following the Aufbau principle, what is the correct order for filling the orbitals that are occupied in a magnesium atom?

Answer

1s, then 2s, then 2p, then 3s.

Question

Using noble gas shorthand notation, how would you write the electron configuration for magnesium?

Answer

[Ne] 3s². (Neon's configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶).

Question

Based on its electron configuration, why is magnesium found in Group 2 of the periodic table?

Answer

Its highest-energy electrons are the two in the 3s orbital. The number of electrons in the outermost "s" orbital determines its group for Groups 1 and 2.

Question

What element would immediately follow magnesium (Mg) if you added one more electron to its configuration, and what would the new configuration be?

Answer

Aluminum (Al). Its configuration would be 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹ or [Ne] 3s² 3p¹.

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