Question

Magnesium and chlorine react

to form an ionic compound.
What is the correct formula of
the compound formed?
Mg²+ Cl₂
Cl₂Mg

Answer 1

`MgCl_2`

Step-by-step explanation:

Magnesium (
`Mg^2^+`) and chlorine (
`Cl^-`) combine to form an ionic bond. Ionic bonds means that atoms ionise and give/take electrons from each other. So when writing the compound you will "swap" the charges (the 2 from Mg becomes the number of Cl needed to balance)

Mg goes first because it's a metal and the metal should be written first.