Question

When magnesium reacts with chlorine, magnesium ions, Mg2+, and chloride ions, Cl−are formed. In this reaction, magnesium atoms A. lose electrons B. gain electrons C. lose protons D. gain protons

Answer 1

Answer: In the reaction, magnesium atoms lose electrons.

Explanation:

An ionic compound is defined as the compound which is formed when electron gets transferred from one atom to another atom. These are usually formed when a metal reacts with a non-metal or a metal reacts with a polyatomic ion or a reaction between two polyatomic ions takes place.

Magnesium is 12th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^63s^2$

This element will loose 2 electrons to form $Mg^{2+}$ ion

Chlorine is 17th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^5$

This element will gain 1 electron to form $Cl^-$ ion

By criss-cross method, the oxidation state of the ions gets exchanged and they form the subscripts of the other ions. This results in the formation of a neutral compound.

The ionic compound formed is $MgCl_2$

Hence, in the reaction, magnesium atoms lose electrons.