MgCl2
Magnesium chloride
Mg2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Magnesium?
Magnesium commonly forms Mg2+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Magnesium usually has a common ionic charge of +2, written as Mg2+.
| Element | Magnesium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Mg |
| Atomic number | 12 |
| Common ionic charge | +2 |
| Common ions | Mg2+ |
Why Magnesium has this charge
Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal, so it commonly loses two electrons and forms a +2 ion.
Magnesium charge examples
MgO
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Magnesium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.