What type of compound is magnesium oxide?

Magnesium oxide is classified as a binary ionic compound. This classification arises from the nature of the elements involved. Magnesium is a metal that tends to lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a magnesium ion (Mg²⁺). Oxygen, on the other hand, is a non-metal that tends to gain two electrons to form an oxide ion (O²⁻).

In a binary ionic compound, the compound is composed of two different elements: one metal and one non-metal. The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged magnesium ions and the negatively charged oxide ions creates a stable ionic bond, resulting in magnesium oxide (MgO). This compound consists exclusively of these two types of ions, which aligns with the definition of a binary ionic compound.

The other classifications do not apply here. While magnesium can exhibit metallic properties, the nature of the bond in magnesium oxide is primarily ionic, not metallic. Covalent compounds involve sharing of electrons between non-metals, which is not the case with magnesium oxide as it involves the transfer of electrons. Lastly, while acidic compounds relate to their behavior in specific chemical contexts, magnesium oxide does not fit this description, as it is not characterized by the properties of an acid.