Question

1. describe what type of electron transfer happens between these two atoms. type your answer here.

Explanation:

Magnesium (Mg) is a metal and oxygen (O) is a non - metal. Metals tend to lose electrons and non - metals tend to gain electrons. Magnesium has 2 valence electrons and will lose them to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a $Mg^{2 + }$ ion. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and will gain 2 electrons to achieve a stable octet, becoming an $O^{2 - }$ ion. This is an ionic electron transfer.

Answer:

An ionic electron transfer occurs where magnesium donates 2 electrons to oxygen.