wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

By the transfer of electrons, illustrate the formation of bond in magnesium chloride and identify the ions present in this compound.


Open in App
Solution

  • Magnesium has an Atomic Number = of 12. Its electronic configuration is 2,8,2.
  • Chlorine has an Atomic Number = of 17. Its electronic configuration is 2,8,7.
  • Magnesium has 2 electrons in its outermost shell, therefore, its electron dot structure is:

  • Chlorine has 7 electrons in its last shell, therefore its electron dot structure is:

  • Since metals are the substances that lose electrons, therefore magnesium has 2 loosely bound electrons, hence it can donate 2 electrons.
  • Whereas chlorine is a non-metal, therefore it accepts the electron given by the metal. Hence the transfer of electrons takes place from magnesium to metal but chlorine can accept a maximum of 1 electron to achieve noble gas configuration, whereas magnesium can donate 2 electrons, hence 2 chlorine atoms are required to accept the 2 electrons of magnesium
  • Magnesium loses 2 electrons and forms magnesium ions, Mg2+ and by accepting 1 electron, it forms, Cl-
  • In this way, 2 chlorine atoms combined with one magnesium atom and form magnesium chloride MgCl2


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
55
similar_icon
Similar questions
View More
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Covalent Bonds
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon