Question

Explain the formation of the ionic compound magnesium chloride.

Answer 1

Magnesium is a metal with elecronic configuration of 2, 8, 2 and it tends to lose its 2 outer-shell valence electrons to become a magnesium ion (2, 8).
The two electrons lost by the magnesium is gained by the two chlorine atoms (2, 7) and thus produce magnesium ion and two chloride ions.
The oppositely charged magnesium and chloride ions attract each other and ionic bonds are formed.