Question

Explain by drawing a figure of the electronic configuration. 

Formation of magnesium chloride from magnesium and chlorine.

Answer 1

There are 2 electrons in the outermost orbit of the magnesium atom, which are discarded to form a double positive ion of magnesium. There are 7 electrons in the chlorine atom. An atom of chlorine gains one electron and completes 8 electrons in the outermost orbit to form chloride ion. Two electrons of chlorine given from one atom of magnesium are accepted by two atoms of chlorine, and two negative ions of chlorine are formed. Due to electrostatic attraction between the positive ion of magnesium and the negative ion of chlorine, an ionic bond is formed between them, forming magnesium chloride.

\[\ce{\underset{(2, 8, 2)}{Mg} -> \underset{(2, 8)}{Mg++} + 2e-;}\]

\[\ce{\underset{(2, 8, 7)}{2Cl} + 2e- -> \underset{(2, 8, 8)}{2Cl-}}\]

\[\ce{Mg++ + 2Cl- -> MgCl2}\]