What type of chemical bond is present in MgCl2? How are the chemical bonds formed in MgCl2? (Atomic number of Mg and Cl are 12 and 17 respectively). [1+2]
OR
Explain why an aqueous solution of sodium chloride is the conductor of electricity but the aqueous solution of sugar or glucose is not. [3]
MgCl2 (magnesium chloride) contains ionic bonds.
Formation of Chemical Bonds in MgCl2
- Magnesium tends to lose its two valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a Mg2+ ion.
- Each chlorine atom can gain one electron to complete its octet, forming two Cl– ions.
- The Mg2+ ion and the two Cl– ions attract each other due to opposite charges, resulting in the formation of MgCl2 through ionic bonding.
OR
An aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) conducts electricity because NaCl is an ionic compound. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into free-moving Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which carry electric charge and enable the flow of current.
Whereas, sugar or glucose are covalent compounds that do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Since there are no free-moving charged particles in the solution, it cannot conduct electricity.
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