When hydrated `MgCI_(2).6H_(2)O` is strongly heated,

Options

A. MgO
B. `Mg(OH)_(2)`
C. Mg(OH)Cl
D. `Mg(OH)_(2)`

Answer

To solve the question regarding the thermal decomposition of hydrated magnesium chloride, `MgCl2.6H2O`, when it is strongly heated, we can break down the process step by step.

### Step 1: Understanding the Compound
The hydrated form of magnesium chloride is `MgCl2.6H2O`, which means it contains 6 molecules of water of crystallization.

**Hint:** Remember that the number of water molecules indicates how much water is associated with the salt in its crystalline form.

### Step 2: Heating the Hydrate
When `MgCl2.6H2O` is strongly heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition. The first step in this process is the loss of water molecules.

**Hint:** Heating often causes hydrates to lose their water content, so think about how many water molecules are lost during this process.

### Step 3: Formation of Intermediate Products
Upon heating, `MgCl2.6H2O` loses 4 molecules of water, resulting in the formation of `MgCl2.2H2O`. The remaining 2 molecules of water will react with magnesium chloride.

**Hint:** Consider the stoichiometry of the reaction; how many water molecules remain after some are lost?

### Step 4: Chemical Reaction
The remaining magnesium chloride reacts with water to form magnesium oxide (`MgO`) and hydrochloric acid (`HCl`). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction can be written as:

\[ \text{MgCl}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{MgO} + 2\text{HCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

**Hint:** Look for the products formed in the reaction; they can give clues about what happens to the reactants.

### Step 5: Final Products
The final product of the thermal decomposition of `MgCl2.6H2O` when strongly heated is magnesium oxide (`MgO`).

**Hint:** Always check the final state of the reactants after the reaction to identify the primary product formed.

### Conclusion
Thus, when hydrated `MgCl2.6H2O` is strongly heated, it primarily produces magnesium oxide (`MgO`).

**Final Answer:** `MgO`