Question

The atomic number of magnesium is 12 and of chlorine is 17. Show the formation of magnesium chloride by the transfer of electrons ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{+2}$.

Answer 1

In the formation of Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) magnesium (Mg) atom is oxidized to a magnesium ion (${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$ ion) and chlorine (Cl₂) is reduced to chloride ions (Cl^-).

Explanation :

The atomic number of Magnesium is 12. It loses its two electrons from the outermost shell and acquires a complete octet stable structure.

$\underset{2,8,2}{\mathrm{Mg}}\to \underset{2,8}{M{g}^{2+}}+\underset{}{2e^{-}}$

Similarly, the atomic number of Chlorine is 17. It gains one electron and acquires a complete octet stable structure.

$\underset{2,8,7}{{\mathrm{Cl}}_2}+\underset{}{2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}}\to \underset{2,8,8}{{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}}$

The combination reaction of magnesium and chloride is given below:

${\mathrm{Mg}}^{+2}+2{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{MgCl}}_2$