Question

Show the formation of magnesium chloride by electron transfer. Write the name of the cation and anion present in the compound formed. (Atomic Number of Mg = 12, Cl = 17)

Hint:

Magnesium chloride is formed through electron transfer where magnesium loses two electrons and chlorine gains one electron.

Answer 1

Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12. Its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 2. Magnesium needs to lose two electrons to achieve a stable noble gas configuration. When magnesium loses two electrons, it forms a cation \( {Mg}^{2+} \): \[ {Mg} \rightarrow {Mg}^{2+} + 2e^- \] Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic number of 17, and its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 7. Chlorine needs one electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration. When chlorine gains one electron, it forms an anion \( {Cl}^- \): \[ {Cl} + e^- \rightarrow {Cl}^- \] Two chlorine atoms are required to balance the charge of one magnesium cation. The ionic equation is: \[ {Mg}^{2+} + 2{Cl}^- \rightarrow {MgCl}_2 \] The cation formed is \( {Mg}^{2+} \) and the anion is \( {Cl}^- \).