show the formation of Na2O and MgO by the transfer of electrons

show the formation of Na2O and MgO by the transfer of electrons

Aditya Raj Anand

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Chemistry

As we know, the electronic configuration of any atoms tells us how much that atom is stable. And also how many that atom can share their valence electron to become stable.

Here in this post, we will discuss a most asked question. That is show the formation of Na2O and MgO by the transfer of electrons. 

To answer this question. Let's get help of electron dot structure. A electron dot structure is a method to find and the type of bond and types of ions of any atoms or molecules.

Now, let's explore the formation of Na2O and MgO by electron dot structure. But before we start the formation let's understand how two atoms or molecules combined each other.

We all know that two or more atoms or molecules can be combined to form a compound. All these compounds can be made by electron dot structure.

This happens as follows: when two or more atoms or molecules combined with the help of electron dot structure a compound formed.

In the same way, sodium oxide (Na2O) and Magnesium oxide (MgO) can be formed with the help of electron dot structure.

The formation of Na2O and MgO by transfer of electrons.

As we know that sodium atom has 11 electron, proton and neutron. And oxygen atom has 8 electron, proton and neutron.

Therefore, sodium atom has 1 extra electron. Because even it has 10 electron it can achieve the noble gas state.

On the other hand, oxygen has 2 less electron to achieve the state of noble gas.

So, if both the atom sodium and oxygen will share each other electron then both can achieve the state of stability.

Now, sodium has only one extra electron but oxygen needs 2 electron to become stable. So, if 2 sodium atoms shares one own electron then oxygen can get 2 electron.

This share of electron from one atom to another atom to make a compound known as electron dot structure. Aa shown in given fig.

Here, we will discuss the formation of Na2O and MgO by electron dot structure.

As you can see in the above fig. Sodium (Na) has one free electron to share. But oxygen needs two electron to become stable. That's why two sodium atom gives each one electron to the oxygen and become a positive ions.

Because as we know, those atom who give electron known as positive ions and those who gain of electron known as negative ions.

That's the reason oxygen has 2 negative ions. Similarly in magnesium oxide compound, Magnesium gives 2 electron to oxygen and become positive ions. And oxygen has two negative ions due to gain of electron.

Please note that:- whenever we make a compound by two distinct elements. We have to do it by electron dot structure.

After you have solved the problem related to electron dot structure. You will notice that the balancing of such compounds also happens.

Conclusion

The formation of sodium oxide (Na₂O) and magnesium oxide (MgO) involves the transfer of electrons, which leads to the formation of ionic bonds between the elements. Here's how the process works for each compound:

Formation of Sodium Oxide (Na₂O):

1. Sodium (Na) atom:

   • Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal with one electron in its outermost shell.
   • To achieve a stable electron configuration, sodium loses this one electron, forming a sodium ion (Na⁺).

   Reaction:

   $$\text{Na} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + e^-$$

2. Oxygen (O) atom:

   • Oxygen (O) has six electrons in its outermost shell and needs two more electrons to complete its octet.
   • Oxygen gains two electrons, forming an oxide ion (O²⁻).

   Reaction:

   $$\text{O} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{O}^{2-}$$

3. Formation of Sodium Oxide (Na₂O):

   • Two sodium atoms each lose one electron to form two Na⁺ ions.
   • One oxygen atom gains two electrons to form O²⁻.
   • The Na⁺ ions and the O²⁻ ion are held together by electrostatic attraction, forming sodium oxide (Na₂O).

   Overall reaction:

   $$2\text{Na} + \text{O} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{O}$$

Formation of Magnesium Oxide (MgO):

1. Magnesium (Mg) atom:

   • Magnesium (Mg) is an alkaline earth metal with two electrons in its outermost shell.
   • To achieve a stable electron configuration, magnesium loses these two electrons, forming a magnesium ion (Mg²⁺).

   Reaction:

   $$\text{Mg} \rightarrow \text{Mg}^{2+} + 2e^-$$

2. Oxygen (O) atom:

   • As before, oxygen (O) needs two electrons to complete its octet and forms an oxide ion (O²⁻).

   Reaction:

   $$\text{O} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{O}^{2-}$$

3. Formation of Magnesium Oxide (MgO):

   • One magnesium atom loses two electrons to form one Mg²⁺ ion.
   • One oxygen atom gains these two electrons to form O²⁻.
   • The Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions are held together by strong ionic bonds due to their opposite charges, forming magnesium oxide (MgO).

   Overall reaction:

   $$\text{Mg} + \text{O} \rightarrow \text{MgO}$$

Summary of the Electron Transfer:

• Na₂O: 2 Na atoms each lose 1 electron to form 2 Na⁺ ions, and 1 O atom gains 2 electrons to form O²⁻.
• MgO: 1 Mg atom loses 2 electrons to form Mg²⁺, and 1 O atom gains 2 electrons to form O²⁻.

These electron transfers lead to the formation of ionic compounds, with Na₂O having Na⁺ ions and O²⁻ ions, and MgO having Mg²⁺ ions and O²⁻ ions.