Question

Which statement best describes the oxidation numbers of the atoms found in magnesium chloride?

A. Magnesium has a 2+ oxidation number and chlorine has a 1- oxidation number. B. Magnesium has a 2- oxidation number and chlorine has a 2+ oxidation number. C. Magnesium has a 2- oxidation number and chlorine has a 1+ oxidation number. D. Magnesium has a 1+ oxidation number and chlorine has a 1- oxidation number.

Answer 1

Answer is: A. Magnesium has a 2+ oxidation number and chlorine has a 1- oxidation number.
Magnesium is metal from second group of Periodic table of elements and it lost two electrons to have electron configuration as closest noble gas neon (₁₀Ne), chlorine is nonmetal from 17. group of Periodic table and it gains one electron to have electron configuration as argon (₁₈Ar).

Answer 2

I believe Magnesium has a 2+ oxidation number and chlorine has a 1- oxidation number. An oxidation number is a number that is assigned to an atom in a substance. It could be positive, negative, or zero, and it indicates if electrons are lost or gained. Oxidation number helps in keeping track of electrons in an atom.