What is being oxidized in this reaction? Mg plus Cl sub 2 rightarrow Mg raised to the 2 plus power plus 2 Cl raised to the negative power

Oxidation is the loss of electrons. Magnesium starts with an oxidation number of 0 and becomes Mg²⁺, with an oxidation number of +2, so it loses two electrons and is oxidized. The correct choice is Mg.

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