Is MgCl2 polar or nonpolar? – (Polarity of MgCl2)
The question is –
Is MgCl2 polar or nonpolar?
Answer:
⇒ MgCl2 is polar.
Explanation:
Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is a polar ionic compound as it consists of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
All ionic compounds are polar in nature.
Each unit cell of MgCl2 consists of an Mg2+ ion and 2 Cl– ions.
As per Pauling’s electronegativity scale, a polar ionic compound is formed between two dissimilar atoms having an electronegativity difference of greater than 1.6 units.
Magnesium (Mg) is an electropositive element. It belongs to the alkaline Earth metals (Group II A of the Periodic Table), having an electronegativity value of 1.31.
In contrast, chlorine (Cl) is a halogen from Group VII A of the Periodic Table. It is highly electronegative, with an electronegativity value of 3.16.
Therefore, an electronegativity difference of 1.85 units exists between a magnesium and a chlorine atom.
Chlorine, being more electronegative, attracts the shared electron cloud largely toward itself.
It thus gains a permanent negative charge while magnesium attains a permanent positive charge.
Oppositely charged Mg2+ and 2 Cl– ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, with a high dipole moment value to yield an extremely polar ionic compound (net µ > 0).
Like dissolves like; thus, the high solubility of MgCl2 in a polar solvent such as water (54.3 g anhydrous MgCl2 in 100 mL water) is another proof of the polar nature of magnesium chloride.
Also, check –
⇒ How to identify polar or nonpolar compounds?
⇒ Why MgCl2 is an ionic compound?
Related Posts
- Is CH3CH2CH2OH polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is OH2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is ICl4- polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is OH- polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SiS2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is food coloring polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is CaCl2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is 2-propanol polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Are double bonds more polar than single bonds? – Chemistry QnA
- Is Octane (C8H18) polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is S8 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is HCO3- polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SbF5 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is CH3CH2CH3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is NH4Br polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is HBrO polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SeCl2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is IOF5 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is GeH4 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is CH4O polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is KBr polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is BrF polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is C2H2Br2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SCl6 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is NO+ polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SeH2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is Cl2O polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is GaH3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is KCl polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is AlBr3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is NaOH polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is CH3CH3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is Cyclohexane polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is NH4NO3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is SCl4F2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is C2H6O polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is HClO polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Is AsH3 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- Cl2XeF2 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
- SeCl6 polar or nonpolar? – Chemistry QnA
About the author
Vishal Goyal is the founder of Topblogtenz, a comprehensive resource for students seeking guidance and support in their chemistry studies. He holds a degree in B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) and has four years of experience as a chemistry tutor. The team at Topblogtenz includes experts like experienced researchers, professors, and educators, with the goal of making complex subjects like chemistry accessible and understandable for all. A passion for sharing knowledge and a love for chemistry and science drives the team behind the website. Let's connect through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-goyal-2926a122b/