Final answer:
Magnesium chloride, being an ionic compound, is expected to conduct electricity when dissolved in water and be hard and brittle. It does not conduct electricity when solid, has a high melting point, and is typically soluble in polar solvents, not nonpolar solvents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound in question, magnesium chloride (MgCl2), is an ionic compound and demonstrates properties characteristic of such compounds. Given its ionic nature, we can expect certain behaviors:
- B. Conducts electricity when dissolved in water: Ionic compounds like MgCl2 are composed of ions, which are charged particles. These ions are free to move in solution, allowing the substance to conduct electricity.
- E. Hard and brittle: Ionic compounds are generally hard due to the strong electrostatic forces between their ions, and they are brittle because these forces are directional, meaning that when enough force is applied, the layers of ions can slide and the structure breaks along fixed planes.
Now, addressing each option specifically:
- A. Does not conduct electricity when molten: This is incorrect. We would expect MgCl2 to conduct electricity when molten because the ions are free to move.
- C. Low melting point, around 40°C: This is incorrect. Ionic compounds typically have high melting points, and MgCl2's melting point is around 714°C.
- D. Soluble in a nonpolar solvents: This is incorrect. Ionic compounds like MgCl2 are typically soluble in polar solvents like water, not nonpolar solvents.