Question

When magnesium reacts with chlorine, what type of compound is formed, and what is the underlying reason for this type of bonding?
1 point
Ionic compound due to transfer of electrons
Molecular compound due to weak intermolecular forces
Metallic compound due to delocalized electrons
Covalent compound due to sharing of electrons

Answer 1

When magnesium reacts with chlorine, it forms an ionic compound due to the transfer of electrons. Magnesium (Mg) donates two electrons to become a positively charged ion (Mg²⁺), while chlorine (Cl) gains those electrons to become negatively charged ions (Cl⁻). This transfer of electrons and the resulting electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions create an ionic bond.

So, the correct answer is:
**Ionic compound due to transfer of electrons.**