Question

write the chemical formula for the ionic compound formed from the combination of the elements magnesium and sulfur.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine ion charges

Magnesium forms a $Mg^{2 + }$ ion (it loses 2 electrons as it is in Group 2), and sulfur forms a $S^{2 - }$ ion (it gains 2 electrons as it is in Group 16).

Step2: Write the formula

The charges must balance. Since the magnitudes of the charges on $Mg^{2+}$ and $S^{2 - }$ are equal, the chemical formula is $MgS$.

Answer:

$MgS$