Question

What type of atom is magnesium?

Answer 1

Metal

Explanation:

Metal, with two valence electrons (Period II element)

Answer 2

A highly reactive metal of the Group II family or alkali earth metals.

Explanation:

Magnesium has a low electro negativity which causes it to react with other elements or atoms by losing electron density, Magnesium has two outer valance electrons which it can lose to form compounds where Magnesium has a + 2 charge.

The electron configuration of Magnesium is
`1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2` This means that neutral magnesium has 12 electrons.