Chapter 18, Problem 2TE

To determine

The chemical formula of magnesium chloride having magnesium ion and a chloride ion.

Answer to Problem 2TE

The chemical formula of ionic compound magnesium chloride is ${\text{MgCl}}_2$.

Explanation of Solution

An ionic bond is a bond present between ions and the atoms involved in ionic bonds must have a high difference in electronegativity. The atoms with low electronegativity have a tendency to lose electrons and the atoms with high electronegativity have a tendency to gain electrons. The atom when losses electrons from their valence shell, converts into a positively charged ion whereas when an atom gains electrons in the valence shell converts into a negatively charged ion. The positive and the negative ions tend to attract each other by the attractive electrostatic force and that generates an ionic bond between them.

Similarly here the positively charged magnesium ions ${\text{Mg}}^{2+}$ have $2+$charge and needs ions having $2-$charge to make a balanced chemical compound. Since chloride ions ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ have $1-$charge, so to balance the negative charge that is $2-$charge, two chloride ions ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ are required.

Thus, the chemical formula of the ionic compound magnesium chloride is ${\text{MgCl}}_2$.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the chemical formula of ionic compound magnesium chloride is ${\text{MgCl}}_2$.