Magnesium is in group 2A; how many valence electrons does Mg have?

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Multiple Choice

Magnesium is in group 2A; how many valence electrons does Mg have?

Explanation:
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell that participate in bonding. For main-group elements, their number equals the group number. Magnesium is in group 2A, and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s^2, so the outermost shell has two electrons. That means magnesium has two valence electrons. This also explains why Mg typically loses two electrons to form Mg2+. The other options describe an incorrect outer-shell situation: one would imply only one outer electron, eight would indicate a full octet like a noble gas, and zero would mean no valence electrons at all.

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell that participate in bonding. For main-group elements, their number equals the group number. Magnesium is in group 2A, and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s^2, so the outermost shell has two electrons. That means magnesium has two valence electrons. This also explains why Mg typically loses two electrons to form Mg2+. The other options describe an incorrect outer-shell situation: one would imply only one outer electron, eight would indicate a full octet like a noble gas, and zero would mean no valence electrons at all.

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