Question

Magnesium fluoride contains only magnesium and fluorine. what is the formula for this compound? express your answer as a chemical formula

Answer 1

The chemical formula is MgF2 as mg looses two electrons and fluorine gains one. Therefore you need two fluorides to gain two electrons

Answer 2

Explanation:

Atomic number of magnesium is 12 and its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 2. So, to acquire stability it loses 2 valence electrons and hence forms $Mg^{2+}$ ion.

Whereas atomic number of fluorine is 9 and its electronic distribution is 2, 7. And, to attain stability its needs to gain one electron and hence then it forms $F^{-}$ ion.

Therefore, when both magnesium and fluorine chemically combine together then magnesium atom will donate its 2 valence electrons to the fluorine atom.

Hence, they will tend to form magnesium fluoride, that is, $MgF_{2}$.