Magnesium will lose two electrons to form a stable ion. This occurs because magnesium has two electrons in its outermost shell (the third shell, in the case of magnesium). By losing these two electrons, magnesium achieves a full outer shell, which is a more stable configuration. This process is typical for alkaline earth metals like magnesium, which prefer to lose electrons rather than gain them. After losing two electrons, magnesium becomes a positively charged ion (Mg2+), contributing to its stability in chemical reactions.
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