Final answer:
The statement is false; the 2 in Mg(OH)2 indicates there are two hydroxide ions, each with a charge of -1, which balance the +2 charge of the magnesium ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement provided in the question is false. In the compound Mg(OH)2, the 2 indicates there are two hydroxide ions (OH-). Each hydroxide ion has a charge of -1. Therefore, to balance the +2 charge of the magnesium ion (Mg2+), two hydroxide ions are needed. This combination results in a neutral compound where the total charges cancel each other out.
It is essential to understand that the subscripts in a chemical formula represent the number of atoms or ions of each element or compound in the molecular structure, not the charge. For example, in MgCl2, there are two chloride ions, each with an oxidation number of -1, to balance the +2 charge of the single magnesium ion.