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## GamerChick333 2 years ago Okay, so I'm new to chemistry and absolutely confused. Can anyone please explain to me how to solve the following?? Mg -> ____ + 2e- ....Help would be very much appreciated!!

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1. cozuwhoiluv2

$mg \rightarrow mg ^{2+} + 2 e$

2. GamerChick333

thats awesome thank you sooooo much. I still have three more to figure out, could you explain how to do it?

3. cozuwhoiluv2

i'm sowry.. i don't know how to explain it...

4. GamerChick333

thats okay, thanks for the help you did give me though. :)

5. febylailani

we must make it neutral :) do u understand?

6. GamerChick333

well, that i get, im just not sure how to do so. For example: Ba -> Ba^(2+) + _______ ??? How would i get rid of the two? is that what yhou mean im supposed to do? sorry, chemistry is very confusing to me...

7. febylailani

ah.. how to explain it. if 2e = debt (-2) so, we must pay it by +2. just like that. but, we must write it on the right-top the element (Mg)

8. UnkleRhaukus

well, magnesium has 12 protons - by definition, to be a neutral atom the positive charges of the protons is canceled out by negatively charged electrons , (-)elections and (+)protons have a charge that is equal in magnitude and opposite in sign, $_{12}\text{Mg}^0 \longrightarrow \_\_ + 2e^-$ $_{12}\text{Mg}^0 -2e^- = \_\_$ taking away electrons from magnesium will effect the overall charge $$0-(-2)=2$$ the nucleus of the atom will remain the same

9. febylailani

yup, u must pay it by ...... electron(s). to make it neutral :)

10. GamerChick333

So, would it be Ba^(2-) ?? Sorry for asking so many questions. I just want to be sure.

11. UnkleRhaukus

$_{12}\text{Mg}^0 -2\times_0e^{-1} =~ _{12}\text{Mg}^{2+}$

12. GamerChick333

Thanks everybody =D

13. febylailani

uwc :)

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