What is the Difference Between Magnesium Atom and Magnesium Ion?

The main difference between a magnesium atom and a magnesium ion lies in their charge and the number of electrons they contain. Here are the key differences:

• Magnesium Atom: A magnesium atom has 12 electrons and is a neutral chemical species. It is the basic structural unit of the magnesium chemical element.
• Magnesium Ion: A magnesium ion has a net positive charge and contains 10 electrons. It is the basic structural unit of ionic magnesium compounds. Magnesium ions are typically found in many Mg-containing ionic compounds and have a positive charge, making them the cation in many simple and complex compounds.

In summary, a magnesium atom is a neutral chemical species with 12 electrons, while a magnesium ion is a positively charged chemical species with 10 electrons.

Comparative Table: Magnesium Atom vs Magnesium Ion

Here is a table comparing the differences between a magnesium atom and a magnesium ion:

Magnesium atoms contain 12 electrons, corresponding to the atomic number of 12, while magnesium ions contain 10 electrons due to the loss of two outermost electrons, resulting in a positive charge. The electronic configuration of a magnesium atom is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s², while the electronic configuration of a magnesium ion is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁷ 4f-¹. Magnesium ions have a smaller ionic radius compared to the atomic radius of a magnesium atom.