Ionic bonding via electron transfer in MgCl₂

Steps:

• Magnesium (group 2) loses 2 valence electrons to achieve noble gas configuration, forming Mg²⁺.
• Chlorine (group 17) gains 1 electron per atom to form Cl⁻, requiring two Cl atoms per Mg.
• The compound formula is MgCl₂, with ionic bonds from electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
• Statement 1 is correct (Mg donates 2 e⁻, each Cl accepts 1); 2 is wrong (Cl⁻ has 1– charge); 3 is correct (Mg²⁺ has 2+ charge).

Why B is correct:

• B identifies statements 1 and 3, matching the electron transfer and ion charges in ionic bonding per octet rule.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes 2, but Cl forms 1– ion, not 2–.
• C includes 2, but Cl charge is 1–, not 2–.
• D includes 4, but only 1 and 3 are correct; 4 is absent or incorrect.

Final answer: B