Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12, meaning it has 12 protons and 12 electrons. Its electron configuration is 2, 8, 2. To achieve a noble gas configuration, Magnesium would need to lose its two outer electrons.

Here's why:

* Noble gas configuration: Noble gases are the elements in Group 18 of the periodic table. They are very stable because they have a full outer shell of electrons. For example, Neon (Ne) has the configuration 2, 8.

* Magnesium's configuration: Magnesium only has two electrons in its outer shell.

* Losing electrons: By losing its two outer electrons, Magnesium will achieve the same electron configuration as Neon, which is a stable configuration.

When Magnesium loses these two electrons, it forms a magnesium ion (Mg²⁺). This ion has a +2 charge because it has lost two negatively charged electrons.

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