Final answer:
separates into one magnesium ion (
) and two chloride ions (Cl−) when dissolved in water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to express the ionic compound
as separated ions. The formula represents a compound formed from magnesium and chlorine. When this ionic compound dissolves in water, it separates into its constituent ions.
Magnesium chloride disassociates into one magnesium ion with a 2+ charge and two chloride ions each with a 1- charge to balance the overall charge of the compound. Therefore, the answer to the question is
,Cl−, Cl−, when it is expressed as ions separated by a comma. This dissociation process highlights the ionization of
in aqueous solution, breaking it down into magnesium ions (
) and chloride ions (Cl−), reflecting the electrical neutrality of the original compound.