`Mg^(2+)` ion has smaller size than Mg.(T/F)

Answer

To determine whether the statement "Mg^(2+) ion has a smaller size than Mg" is true or false, we can analyze the properties of the magnesium atom and its ion step by step.

### Step 1: Understand the Atomic Structure of Magnesium
- Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12, which means it has 12 protons and, in its neutral state, 12 electrons.

### Step 2: Formation of Magnesium Ion
- When magnesium loses two electrons to form the Mg^(2+) ion, it has 12 protons but only 10 electrons.

### Step 3: Compare the Charge and Electron Configuration
- In the neutral magnesium atom (Mg), the positive charge from the protons is balanced by the negative charge from the electrons, resulting in a neutral charge.
- In the Mg^(2+) ion, there are 12 protons and only 10 electrons, leading to a net positive charge of +2.

### Step 4: Effect of Charge on Size
- The increased positive charge in the Mg^(2+) ion (due to losing two electrons) results in a stronger attraction between the remaining electrons and the nucleus.
- This stronger attraction pulls the electrons closer to the nucleus, resulting in a smaller ionic radius.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- Therefore, the size of the Mg^(2+) ion is indeed smaller than that of the neutral magnesium atom (Mg).

### Final Answer
- The statement "Mg^(2+) ion has smaller size than Mg" is **True**.

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