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Band theory predicts that magnesium is an insulator. However, in practice it acts as a conductor due to
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The correct answer is:
overlap of filled 3s and empty 3p-orbital
The electronic configuration of Mg is
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 model of Mg
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 model of Mg
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