Question

An atom of an element with two valance electrons reacts with two atoms of an element with atomic number 17 to for an ionic compound. What is the compound most likely formed as described?

Answer 1

Answer:

The compound is most likely to be MgCl2.

Explanation:

Let the element with 2 valence electrons be X

Element with atomic number 17 is Cl.

The compound formed can be obtained as follow:

1. X will lose the 2 valence electrons to form X^2+ as shown below:

X —> X^2+ + 2e- (1)

2. Two Cl atoms will receive the 2 electrons as shown below:

2Cl + 2e- —> 2Cl- (2)

3. Combine equation 1 and 2.

X + 2Cl 2e- —> X^2+ +2Cl- + 2e-

Cancel out the electrons

X + 2Cl —> X^2+ + 2Cl-

X + 2Cl —> XCl2

Now, X is a group 2 element since it has 2 valence electrons. Therefore, X is most likely to magnesium, Mg.

Mg + 2Cl —> MgCl2.

Therefore, the compound is most likely to be magnesium chloride MgCl2