Question

8. The oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is _____.

Answer 1

Answer: The oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is +2.

Explanation:

Oxidation number is defined as the number that is assigned to an element when it gains or looses electrons. If an element gains electron, it will attain a negative oxidation number and if an element looses electron, it will attain a positive oxidation number.

The chemical formula for magnesium chloride is $MgCl_2$

We take the oxidation state of magnesium atom be 'x'.

Oxidation state of chlorine atom = -1

Evaluating the oxidation number of magnesium atom:

$x+2(-1)=0\\\\x=+2$

Hence, the oxidation number of magnesium in the given compound is +2.

Answer 2

-1 or +2 hope that helps!