(b) Magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water but it reacts faster with steam, H,0,
and forms magnesium oxide, MgO, and hydrogen.
Write the balanced equation for the reaction between magnesium and steam.
(2)
(C) The electronic configurations of magnesium and calcium are
magnesium 2.8.2
calcium 2.8.8.2
When magnesium and calcium react with water they form positive ions.
Suggest an explanation, in terms of their electronic configurations, why calcium is
more reactive than magnesium.
(2)