Question

Explain the formation of bond by magnesium chloride

Answer 1

Mg forms ionic bond to Cl by donating its valence electrons to two Cl atoms.

The electronic configuration of Mg is [Ne]3s². It can achieve a complete octet by losing its two valence electrons to form Mg²⁺.


The electron configuration of Cl is [Ne]3s²3p⁵. It can achieve an octet by gaining one valence electron to form Cl⁻.

The oppositely charges of the magnesium and chloride ions attract each other and form ionic bonds.