Structures of Reactants/Products and Ion Charges in MgO Formation

Steps:

• Magnesium is a metal, forming a giant metallic lattice structure.
• Magnesium oxide (MgO) is an ionic compound, forming a giant ionic lattice structure.
• Mg²⁺ has a positive charge, classifying it as a cation.
• O²⁻ has a negative charge, classifying it as an anion.

Why C is correct:

• It accurately describes Mg as giant lattice, MgO as giant lattice, Mg²⁺ as cation, and O²⁻ as anion, per metallic and ionic bonding definitions.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Reverses ion charges; Mg²⁺ is cation, not anion.
• B: Misidentifies Mg structure as simple molecules, not giant lattice.
• D: Misidentifies Mg structure as simple molecules, not giant lattice.

Final answer: C