We see

2Mg + O2= 2MgO

Why it is written 2Mg not Mg2

Dear student!
Mg is a metal and all the metals and some other elements also taken as monoatomic elements and so they are represented by their atomic symbol only.

SO, when two atoms of Mg is required , we write  2Mg and not Mg2 .

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2mg means 2 atoms of magnesium. We only use it in chemical equations as an unstable intermediate. Mg2 is a molecule of magnesium. It is the stable form of magnesium.

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