Magnesium bromide can be prepared by the reaction of magnesium metal with bromine.
The table below shows some properties of magnesium, bromine, and magnesium bromide.
| Substance | Relative melting point | Electrical conductivity when solid | Electrical conductivity when molten |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | High | Good | Good |
| Bromine | Low | Poor | Poor |
| Magnesium bromide | High | Poor | Good |
Explain, in terms of bonding and structure, why the properties of the product, magnesium bromide, are different from the properties of the reactants, magnesium and bromine.
