Question

What kind of compound is Magnesium chloride or \[MgC{l_2}\]. (This question has multiple correct options).
A.) Ionic compound
B.) Electrovalent compound
C.) Covalent compound
D.) Co-ordinate covalent compound

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question we need to know that in ionic compounds, atoms gain or lose electrons between them and in ionic compounds there is electrostatic attraction between the atoms.

Complete step by step answer:
To solve this question first we will discuss the given types of compound and then find out that in which category does magnesium chloride lies.
The ionic compounds are those compounds in which atoms lose or gain electrons to form the compound. Generally, metal tends to lose electrons, so they have positive charge on them and non-metals tend to gain electrons, so they become negatively charged.
The ionic compound is also known as electrovalent compound because they have electrostatic force of attraction between two oppositely charged ions.
The covalent compounds are those compounds in which the atoms share their electrons to make the bond.
Co-ordinate covalent compounds are those compounds that are formed by the sharing of electron pairs from the same atom.
Now, as we know that magnesium is a metal and its atomic number is $12$ and it has two valence electrons. Also, chlorine has atomic number $17$ and it has $7$ valence electrons. Here, chlorine just needs one electron to complete its octet and there are two chlorines. So, magnesium tends to lose two electrons and two chlorines gain them.
As we can see that there is loss and gain of electrons between chlorine and magnesium so magnesium chloride is an ionic compound and there is electrostatic attraction between them so it is an electrovalent compound also.
Hence, option A and B are the correct answer.

Note:
 In this question, when magnesium loses its two electrons then it acquires $ + 2$ charge and when each chlorine gains one electron then each of them acquire $ - 1$ each . Hence, they make an ionic compound.