2024 CBSE Science Class 10 sample question paper with solution
How is Magnesium Chloride formed by the transfer of electrons? Why does the solution of Magnesium chloride conduct electricity?
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Mg – 12 = 2, 8, 2
Cl – 17 = 2, 8, 7
Solution of Magnesium Chloride conduct electricity because an ionic compound dissociates into ions when dissolved in water and hence conduct electricity.
Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is formed by the transfer of electrons between magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (Cl) atoms. This process involves ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred from the magnesium atoms to the chlorine atoms.
Magnesium is a metal, and it tends to lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of a noble gas. When magnesium reacts with chlorine, which is a non-metal and tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, the following reaction occurs:
Mg (metal) + 2Cl2 (non-metal) → MgCl2 (ionic-compound)
In this reaction, magnesium loses two electrons to form Mg2+ ions, and each chlorine atom gains one electron to form Cl- ions. The resulting magnesium chloride (MgCl2) compound consists of positively charged magnesium ions (Mg2+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-).
When magnesium chloride is dissolved in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions:
MgCl2 (solid) ⇌ Mg2+ (aqueous) + 2Cl- (aqueous)
The presence of free-moving ions in the solution allows it to conduct electricity. In the dissolved state, the Mg2+ and Cl- ions are mobile and can carry an electric charge. Therefore, the solution of magnesium chloride is an electrolyte and can conduct electricity. The extent of conductivity depends on the concentration of ions in the solution; higher concentrations generally result in better conductivity.