When magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions: one magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) and two chloride ions (Cl⁻).
Based on this dissociation, the correct statement is:
The sum of the mass of the Mg²⁺ ions and the mass of the Cl⁻ ions must be equal to the mass of MgCl₂.
This is true because the total mass of the products (the ions in solution) will equal the mass of the reactant (the original MgCl₂).