The oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is ____.Group of answer choices0–1+1+2

The oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is +2.

Here's why:

1. The oxidation number of an atom in its elemental state is always 0. However, when it forms a compound, this number can change.

2. Magnesium (Mg) in its elemental state has an oxidation number of 0. But in magnesium chloride (MgCl2), it loses two electrons to become Mg2+, a cation with a charge of +2.

3. Chlorine (Cl), on the other hand, gains one electron to become Cl-, an anion with a charge of -1. But since there are two chlorine atoms in magnesium chloride, the total charge from chlorine is -2.

4. The sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is always 0. So, the +2 charge of Mg and the -2 charge from two Cl atoms balance each other out, making the compound neutral.

So, the oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is +2.