Band theory predicts that magnesium is an insulator. However, in...

Band theory predicts that magnesium is an insulator. However, in practice it acts as a conductor due to

Options

Apresence of filled 3s – orbital
Boverlap of filled 2p and filed 3s- orbital
Coverlap of filled 3s and empty 3p-orbital
Dpresence of unfilled 3p –orbital

Correct answer

C. overlap of filled 3s and empty 3p-orbital

Step-by-step solution

The electronic configuration of Mg is

1s^{2}, 2s^{2}, 2p^{6}, 3s^{2}, 3p^{0}

In it 3s – orbital is completely filed and 3p-orbital is empty. There is very small energy difference between 3s and 3p – orbitals. Thus, they overlap and make the Mg a conductor.
Band theory predicts that magnesium is an insulator. However, in practice it acts as a conductor due to

Band model of Mg

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