Magnesium oxide MgO is an ionic compound. This can be justified by considering the properties of magnesium oxide and the elements involved in its formation.Magnesium Mg is an alkaline earth metal found in Group 2 of the periodic table, while oxygen O is a non-metal found in Group 16. When these two elements react, magnesium loses two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a Mg2+ ion. Oxygen, on the other hand, gains two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming an O2- ion. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions results in the formation of an ionic bond, creating the ionic compound magnesium oxide MgO .The properties of magnesium oxide also support its classification as an ionic compound. Some key properties of ionic compounds that are exhibited by MgO include:1. High melting and boiling points: Magnesium oxide has a high melting point of 2852C 5166F and a boiling point of 3600C 6512F . This is due to the strong electrostatic forces between the positively charged magnesium ions and the negatively charged oxygen ions, which require a significant amount of energy to overcome.2. Electrical conductivity: Magnesium oxide does not conduct electricity in its solid state, as the ions are held in a rigid lattice structure. However, when dissolved in water or melted, it can conduct electricity, as the ions are free to move and carry an electric charge.3. Solubility in water: Magnesium oxide is slightly soluble in water, which is a common characteristic of ionic compounds. When dissolved in water, it forms magnesium hydroxide Mg OH 2 , which is a weak base.4. Brittle nature: Like other ionic compounds, magnesium oxide is brittle. This is because when pressure is applied, the ions in the lattice structure can shift, causing ions with the same charge to come into close proximity. The repulsion between these like-charged ions causes the material to fracture.In conclusion, based on the properties of magnesium oxide and the nature of the elements involved in its formation, it can be determined that MgO is an ionic compound.