Question

Why is the bonding in magnesium oxide similar to the bonding in barium chloride, in terms of valence electrons?

Answer 1

Well, both magnesium and barium are `"alkaline earths...."`

Explanation:

Well, both magnesium and barium are `"alkaline earths...."`, the which give dications upon oxidation....

...from Group 2 of the Periodic Table. And given Group 2, there are TWO valence electrons, which are readily oxidized to give dications…

And so `Mg(s) + 1/2O_2(g) rarrunderbrace(MgO)_(Mg^(2+) + O^(2-))`

And likewise...

`Ba(s) + Cl_2(g) rarrunderbrace(BaCl_2)_(Ba^(2+) +2xxCl^-)`