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Magnesium flares provide a bright light in an emergency - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 6
Magnesium flares provide a bright light in an emergency. When the magnesium burns it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. (a) Explain why magnesium oxide is... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Magnesium flares provide a bright light in an emergency - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why magnesium oxide is a compound.
Answer
Magnesium oxide is considered a compound because it is formed from two different elements, magnesium and oxygen, that chemically bond together. In a compound, elements are combined in fixed proportions by mass and exhibit distinct physical and chemical properties different from those of the individual elements. In this case, magnesium and oxygen react to form a new substance, magnesium oxide, which has its unique characteristics.
Step 2
In the diagram below the arrangement of electrons in an oxygen atom is given. Draw the arrangement of electrons in the oxide ion.
Answer
The oxide ion is formed when an oxygen atom gains two electrons. The electron arrangement of the oxide ion will then include a total of eight electrons in its outer shell. This can be represented as follows:
O
\ * /
* * *
*
This shows that the oxide ion has a full outer shell, achieving a stable electronic configuration, similar to that of neon.