(a) Show the formation of magnesium chloride and sodium chloride by transfer of electrons.
(b) Identify the ions present in these compounds.
(c) Why do ionic compounds not conduct electricity in the solid state?

Explanation

(i) Sodium (Na) and Magnesium (Mg) have 1 and 2 electrons respectively in the outermost shells of their atoms, so they lose their electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration of eight valence electrons and form positively charged ions or cations.
`{:(Na ,-, e^(-),rarr,Na^(+)), ("Sodium atom",,,,"Sodium ion"),(K LM,,,,KL),("2,8,1",,,,"2, 8"),(Mg,-,2e^(-),rarr,Mg^(2+)),("Magnesium atom",,,,"Magnesium ion"),(KLM,,,,KL),("2, 8, 2",,,"2, 8",),(,,,,):}`
On the other hand Cl has even electrons in its atom so it gains one electron to acquire inert gas configuration and forms negatively charged ion or an anion.
`{:(Cl,+,e^(-),rarr,Cl^(-)),("Chlorine atom",,,,"Chloride ion"),(KLM,,,,KLM),("2,8,7",,,,"2, 8,8"):}`