Why does magnesium and oxygen form MgO instead of MgO2?

[Faiien]

So I'm taking chemistry again after a five hear hiatus from the topic and I would really appreciate an explanation on a certain formula.

magnesium +oxygen forms magnesium oxide
Mg+O2=MgO
My question is, what happened to the 1 of the oxygen atoms?
Shouldn't it be MgO2?

 

[E=mc^84]

So I'm taking chemistry again after a five hear hiatus from the topic and I would really appreciate an explanation on a certain formula.

magnesium +oxygen forms magnesium oxide
Mg+O2=MgO
My question is, what happened to the 1 of the oxygen atoms?
Shouldn't it be MgO2?

you shud write Mg and O in separate ion form = Mg^+2 + O^-2 = so, magnesium gives 2 electrons and oxygen takes 2 elctrons, the 2's cancel out = MgO. You have to realize that the end molecule has a net charge of zero, its electrically neutral.

 

[Borek]

magnesium +oxygen forms magnesium oxide
Mg+O2=MgO

All three formulas are correct. However, this is just a skeletal reaction equation, that is - it contains correct formulas, but it is not yet correct otherwise.

My question is, what happened to the 1 of the oxygen atoms?
Shouldn't it be MgO2?

No, formula is correct and it shouldn't be modified. Where is the oxygen? Reaction should be balanced - that is, you should add stoichiometric coefficients so that number of atoms of all elements on both sides is identical:

2Mg + O₂ -> 2MgO

Now everything is OK.

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[E=mc^84]

All three formulas are correct. However, this is just a skeletal reaction equation, that is - it contains correct formulas, but it is not yet correct otherwise.



No, formula is correct and it shouldn't be modified. Where is the oxygen? Reaction should be balanced - that is, you should add stoichiometric coefficients so that number of atoms of all elements on both sides is identical:

2Mg + O₂ -> 2MgO

Now everything is OK.


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ChemBuddy chemical calculators - buffer calculator, stoichiometry calculator
www.ph-meter.info - ph meter, ph electrode[/QUOTE


Yes its right. But i was not sure what you were asking in the original question:)

 

[Borek]

Me?

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[Faiien]

Haha, ah I see now, thank you everyone.