Question

What type of bond does $Mg$ form with $Cl$?
(A) Covalent
(B) Ionic
(C) Co-ordinate
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Magnesium has two valence electrons. It loses these two electrons to gain stability and forms a dipositive cation. Chlorine has seven valence electrons. It is easier to gain one electron than losing all the seven electrons. So, it will gain electrons and form an anion.

Complete answer:
Magnesium gives two valence electrons for bond formation. One chlorine can use only one electron. So, two chlorine atoms are required to use these two electrons. Here, there is complete transfer of the valence electrons between the atoms. So ionic bonding takes place. This type of chemical bond generates two oppositely charged ions. In these types of bonds, the metal becomes a positively charged cation as it loses electrons whereas the nonmetal becomes a negatively charged anion as it accepts those electrons. The oppositely charged magnesium and chloride ions attract each other and result in the formation of ionic bonds. Each cation is surrounded by anions and each anion is surrounded by cations in the solid state. The simplest ratio of magnesium ion and chloride ion is
$\dfrac{{M{g^{ + 2}}}}{{C{l^ - }}} = \dfrac{1}{2}$. Hence. The simplest formula formula of the ionic compound formed will be $MgC{l_2}$.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Note:
From the definition of ionic bond and covalent bond, we can determine if a bond is ionic or covalent. The definition of an ionic bond says that it is a bond between a metal and a nonmetal. The definition of a covalent bond says that it is a bond between two nonmetals. So, first check whether the given two elements are either nonmetals or one is metal and another is nonmetal.