Answer: The oxidation number of magnesium in magnesium chloride is +2.
Explanation:
Oxidation number is defined as the number that is assigned to an element when it gains or looses electrons. If an element gains electron, it will attain a negative oxidation number and if an element looses electron, it will attain a positive oxidation number.
The chemical formula for magnesium chloride is [tex]MgCl_2[/tex]
We take the oxidation state of magnesium atom be 'x'.
Oxidation state of chlorine atom = -1
Evaluating the oxidation number of magnesium atom:
[tex]x+2(-1)=0\\\\x=+2[/tex]
Hence, the oxidation number of magnesium in the given compound is +2.
