3. Magnesium oxide has ionic bonding. When ionic bonds form, electrons pass from one atom to another to form ions.
The diagrams show the arrangement of electrons in the atoms and ions of magnesium oxide.
Atoms
(before bonding)
magnesium atom
oxygen atom
Magnesium oxide
MgO
lons
(after bonding)
magnesium ion
oxygen ion
2+
* Describe how magnesium and oxygen atoms form ions, and explain the charges on each ion.
Use ideas about electrons and electron shells in your answer.