Which statement correctly explains how magnesium and chlorine combine to form magnesium chloride?

• A. Magnesium and chlorine share electrons equally to form MgCl_2 through covalent bonding.
• B. Magnesium loses one electron to form Mg^{+}, and chlorine gains one electron to form Cl^{-}; they combine in a 1:1 ratio to form MgCl.
• C. Magnesium gains two electrons from chlorine atoms to form Mg^{2-}, and chlorine loses electrons to form Cl^{+}; they combine to form MgCl_2.
• D. Magnesium loses two electrons to form Mg^{2+}, and each chlorine atom gains one electron to form Cl^{-}; two chloride ions combine with one magnesium ion to form MgCl_2.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of bonding between magnesium and chlorine. Magnesium is a metal and chlorine is a nonmetal, so they typically form an ionic bond rather than a covalent bond.
2. Determine the electron transfer process: Magnesium tends to lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, while chlorine tends to gain electrons.
3. Write the electron transfer: Magnesium loses two electrons to form a Mg^{2+} ion, and each chlorine atom gains one electron to form Cl^{-} ions.
4. Balance the charges to form a neutral compound: Since magnesium forms a 2+ ion and each chlorine forms a 1- ion, two chloride ions are needed to balance the charge of one magnesium ion, resulting in the formula MgCl_2.
5. Conclude that magnesium chloride is formed by ionic bonding where Mg^{2+} and two Cl^{-} ions combine in a 1:2 ratio to form MgCl_2.