To determine the appropriate and final way to display the formula for magnesium chloride, we need to consider the chemical composition of the compound.
Magnesium chloride is formed by the combination of magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (Cl). Here's the step-by-step explanation:
1. Identify the Ions:
- Magnesium (Mg) is an element in Group 2 of the periodic table and it forms a cation with a +2 charge, denoted as [tex]\( Mg^{2+} \)[/tex].
- Chlorine (Cl) is an element in Group 17 and it forms an anion with a -1 charge, denoted as [tex]\( Cl^{-} \)[/tex].
2. Combine the Ions:
- To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge.
- Since [tex]\( Mg^{2+} \)[/tex] has a charge of +2 and each [tex]\( Cl^{-} \)[/tex] has a charge of -1, we need two [tex]\( Cl^{-} \)[/tex] ions to balance out one [tex]\( Mg^{2+} \)[/tex] ion.
3. Write the Chemical Formula:
- The chemical formula is composed by writing the symbol of the metal first (magnesium), followed by the symbol of the non-metal (chlorine), and indicating the number of chlorine atoms needed to balance the charge.
- Therefore, magnesium chloride has the chemical formula [tex]\( MgCl_2 \)[/tex].
Now, let's match this with the given options:
A. [tex]\( MGCl_2 \)[/tex] - This notation is incorrect because the symbol for magnesium is not correctly written (should be Mg, not MG).
B. MgCl - This notation is incorrect as it does not show the correct ratio of magnesium to chlorine.
C. [tex]\( Mg^{+2} Cl^{-1} \)[/tex] - This notation shows the charges but is not the standard way to write the formula.
D. [tex]\( MgCl_2 \)[/tex] - This is the correct notation.
Thus, the appropriate and final way to display the formula for magnesium chloride is given by option D. [tex]\( MgCl_2 \)[/tex].
So, the correct answer is:
D. [tex]\( MgCl_2 \)[/tex]
