[Velveti]

I can't find a good definition anywhere.

is a species that is represented by 12 protons and 10 electrons  Mg or Mg2+. obviously if it was asking for the cation, it'd be Mg2+. but does species refer to the general element?

[Borek]

Usually it can be everything, atom, molecule, ion, whatever.

[JGK]

I can't find a good definition anywhere.

is a species that is represented by 12 protons and 10 electrons  Mg or Mg2+. obviously if it was asking for the cation, it'd be Mg2+. but does species refer to the general element?

It's not Mg, as Mg has 12 protons and 12 electrons

12 protons and 10 electrons give a +2 charge therefore it is Mg²⁺