[osmillieo]

What is considered the simplest unit of magnesium chloride, a solid?

1 Mg atom and 1 Cl2 molecule
1 MgCl2 molecule
1 Mg atom and 2 chlorine atoms
1 positive ion and 2 negative ions
1 cation and 1 anion

I say its 1 Mg atom and 2 chlorine atoms. What do you guys think?

[Sev]

Hint: Magnesium chloride is ionic.

[osmillieo]

MgCl2 ----> Mg²⁺ + 2Cl^-


yes...its ionic....so wouldn't my answer be correct due to the above equation?

[Sev]

MgCl2 ----> Mg²⁺ + 2Cl^-


yes...its ionic....so wouldn't my answer be correct due to the above equation?

No, Mg²⁺ and Cl^- are not atoms.

1 positive ion and 2 negative ions

Why not this?

[osmillieo]

I don't think it's "1 positive ion and 2 negative ions" maybe because it doesn't specify Mg or Cl..

it could also be 1 MgCl2 molecule.....but that wouldn't satisfy it being the "simplest unit" or would it?

[Sev]

it could also be 1 MgCl2 molecule.....but that wouldn't satisfy it being the "simplest unit" or would it?

MgCl₂ is not a molecular compound, it is ionic.

[osmillieo]

so are you saying "a molecule" is molecular?

[Padfoot]

Yes, compounds that exist as molecules are called molecular compounds.  As Sev said, MgCl2 is ionic.

[osmillieo]

thanks a bunch