Question

Write the name of product obtained, when selenium is treated with magnesium metal.

Hint:

Binary compounds of metals with Group 16 elements end in "-ide" (e.g., Oxide, Sulfide, Selenide, Telluride).

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal (Group 2) and Selenium is a chalcogen (Group 16). Metals react with non-metals to form binary ionic compounds.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Magnesium has a valency of +2 ($Mg^{2+}$).
Selenium has a valency of -2 ($Se^{2-}$) when forming selenides.
The reaction is:
\[ Mg + Se \rightarrow MgSe \]
The name of the resulting compound \( MgSe \) is Magnesium selenide.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The name of the product is Magnesium selenide.