Compounds and Ions

Question

The ions Na+ and Mg2+ occur in chemical compounds, but not the ions Na2+ and Mg3+ do not. Explain.

Answer 1

Sodium (Na) is in group 1 and has 1 valence electron. It will form a monovalent cation, Na^+, but not Na^2+ as that would not be stable.

Magnesium is in group 2 and has 2 valence electrons. Itvwill form a divalent cation, Mg^2+, but not Mg^3+ as that would not be stable.