In what respect does an atom of magnesium differ from a magnesium ion (mg^{2+})?
(a)the ion has a more stable electronic arrangement than the atom.
(b)the positive charge on the nucleus of the ion is two units greater than the nuclear charge on the atom.
(c)the ion has two more protons than the atom.
(d)the ion will react more readily with free cl₂.
(e)the ion has two more planetary electrons than the atom.
can anyone explain this one?

- calcium has greater affinity to bond with electron receptors than hydrogen does and hence, it has the ability to replace hydrogen in most of its compounds.

- lithium has 2 valence electrons in the product because it can make only 1 bond with hydrogen. beryllium has 4 valence electrons in the product because it can only make 2 bonds. it has fewer electrons than neon and can react with electron donors. each hydrogen has 2 valence electrons, the same as helium.

- the covalent bond formed between carbon and hydrogen is polar because carbon is more electronegative than hydrogen and it attracts the bonded electron pair closer to itself, thus giving hydrogen a partial positive charge.

- a hydrogen bond is a relatively weak bond that hydrogen atoms make with the electronegative atoms nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine.

so the best choice is a.) 2 calcium (ca) atoms