Question

Is magnesium hydride (\[Mg{H_2}\]) an ionic compound?

Answer 1

Hint: Ionic compound refers to the complete donation of electrons by a participating atom to the receiving atom of the compound. Both of the atoms do this in order to achieve their nearest stable configuration i.e. noble gas configuration. Ionic solids are held together by the electrostatic attraction between the positive and the negative ions.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Ionic compounds are generally formed by the reaction of a metal with non-metals. Metals as we know have extra electrons on their outermost shells while non-metals are always electron deficient. Hence, metals donate their electrons to the non-metals, and thus both achieve their desired octave.

In \[Mg{H_2}\] , Mg being metal has 2 electrons in its outermost valence shell (E.C-2, 8, 2 ), Hydrogen being a gas, has only a single electron in its outermost shell (E.C- 1). So, two electrons are donated to Mg and it achieves its stable configuration i.e. octet rule is satisfied. Hydrogen on the other hand receives one electron each and thus attains the electronic configuration of Helium and becomes stable.
Hence, \[Mg{H_2}\] is an ionic compound.

Note: Magnesium hydride(\[Mg{H_2}\])is a white crystalline solid. It reacts violently with water and may ignite upon contact with air and is used to make other chemicals. If a cation has high polarising power, it pulls the large electron clouds from the anion forming a bond that is at least partially covalent. as far as \[Mg{H_2}\] is concerned Mg is a small relatively high charge ion and the H- ion is relatively large.