* Magnesium (Mg) has two valence electrons, meaning it wants to lose those two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration like the noble gas neon.
* Chlorine (Cl) has seven valence electrons, meaning it wants to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration like the noble gas argon.
To form an ionic bond, the magnesium atom needs to lose its two valence electrons, and chlorine atoms need to gain those electrons.
* Each chlorine atom can only accept one electron.
* Therefore, you need two chlorine atoms to accept the two electrons from one magnesium atom.
This results in the formation of magnesium chloride (MgCl₂).
