Sure, let's analyze the question step-by-step to determine the correct chemical formula for magnesium perchlorate.
1. Identify the ions involved:
- Magnesium (Mg) is a metal from Group 2 of the periodic table, so it has a valency of +2 (Mg²⁺).
- Perchlorate (ClO₄) is a polyatomic ion with a valency of -1 (ClO₄⁻).
2. Determine the ratio of ions:
- To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge.
- Magnesium with a +2 charge (Mg²⁺) needs to be balanced by perchlorate ions with a -1 charge (ClO₄⁻).
- Since one magnesium ion has a +2 charge, it will require two perchlorate ions (each with a -1 charge) to balance out the charges.
So, two perchlorate ions are needed to balance one magnesium ion, ensuring the overall compound is neutral.
3. Write the chemical formula:
- Combine one magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) with two perchlorate ions (ClO₄⁻).
- To indicate that there are two perchlorate ions, we enclose ClO₄ in parentheses and place the subscript 2 after it.
Therefore, the correct chemical formula for magnesium perchlorate is [tex]\( \text{Mg}(\text{ClO}_4)_2 \)[/tex].
Conclusion:
The correct answer is:
D. [tex]\( \text{Mg}(\text{ClO}_4)_2 \)[/tex]
