Magnesium acts similar to sodium when forming an ionic bond in terms of losing or gaining electrons. What is the most likely way in which an atom of magnesium (Mg.will satisfy the octet rule when it forms bonds? by losing two electrons by losing four electrons by gaining six electrons by gaining eight electrons

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to determine how a magnesium atom (Mg) will satisfy the octet rule when it forms bonds. The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that reflects observation that atoms of main-group elements tend to combine in such a way that each has eight electrons in its valence shell, giving it the same electronic configuration as a noble gas.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Magnesium is in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it has two electrons in its outermost shell. <br /><br />## Step 3<br />To achieve a stable electron configuration, magnesium will tend to lose these two electrons. This is because losing two electrons will leave magnesium with an electron configuration similar to that of neon, a noble gas.