Magnesium and chlorine bond the way they do because they each want to have a stable configuration of eight valence electrons. Magnesium, which has two valence electrons, tends to lose those electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the nearest noble gas, while chlorine, which has seven valence electrons, tends to gain an electron to achieve the same stable configuration. This transfer of electrons results in the formation of an ionic bond between the two elements.
Why do magnesium and chlorine bond the way they do? (1 point)
They each want to have a stable configuration of eight valence electrons.
They each want to have only two valence electrons in their outside shell
Bonding together increases their energy levels and makes them more reactive.
They do not bond together.
1 answer