Question

Element ‘M’ forms a chloride with the formula MCl₂ which is sold with high melting point. To which group of the Periodic table does the element ‘M’ belong?

Answer 1

Element M should belong to group 2 of the periodic table. 

Reason: Since the chloride formula formed by the metal is of the form MCl₂, the valency of the metal is +2. Also, it is high melting solid so it has to be an ionic compound and so metal should be definitely from 1^st or 2^nd group. But since metals of group 1 can show only +1 valency, the metal cannot be from group 1 then it is definitely from group 2. Ex: Ca, Mg etc. are 2^nd group metals and satisfy this situation.

Figure : Formation of magnesium chloride.