Question

decide whether each pair of elements in the table below will form an ionic compound. if they will, write the empirical formula and name of the compound formed in the spaces provided.

element # 1	element # 2	forms ionic compound?	empirical formula of ionic compound	name of ionic compound
magnesium	iodine	yes no
magnesium	oxygen	yes no
sodium	fluorine	yes no

Explanation:

Step1: Determine ionic compound formation

Ionic compounds form between a metal and a non - metal. Bromine and argon are both non - metals, so they do not form an ionic compound.
Magnesium (a metal) and iodine (a non - metal) form an ionic compound. Magnesium has a + 2 charge ($Mg^{2+}$) and iodine has a - 1 charge ($I^{-}$). To balance the charges, the empirical formula is $MgI_{2}$. The name is magnesium iodide.
Magnesium (a metal) and oxygen (a non - metal) form an ionic compound. Magnesium has a + 2 charge ($Mg^{2+}$) and oxygen has a - 2 charge ($O^{2 - }$). The empirical formula is $MgO$. The name is magnesium oxide.
Sodium (a metal) and fluorine (a non - metal) form an ionic compound. Sodium has a + 1 charge ($Na^{+}$) and fluorine has a - 1 charge ($F^{-}$). The empirical formula is $NaF$. The name is sodium fluoride.

Step2: Fill in the table

element # 1	element # 2	forms ionic compound?	empirical formula of ionic compound	name of ionic compound
magnesium	iodine	yes	$MgI_{2}$	magnesium iodide
magnesium	oxygen	yes	$MgO$	magnesium oxide
sodium	fluorine	yes	$NaF$	sodium fluoride

Answer:

element # 1	element # 2	forms ionic compound?	empirical formula of ionic compound	name of ionic compound
magnesium	iodine	yes	$MgI_{2}$	magnesium iodide
magnesium	oxygen	yes	$MgO$	magnesium oxide
sodium	fluorine	yes	$NaF$	sodium fluoride