What is the net charge of the ionic compound calcium fluoride?
A. 1+
B. 1-
C. 2-
D. 0
Answer (2)
Calcium (Ca) forms a 2+ ion (Ca 2 + ).
Fluorine (F) forms a 1- ion (F − ).
The chemical formula for calcium fluoride is CaF 2 because two fluoride ions are needed to balance the 2+ charge of one calcium ion.
The net charge of CaF 2 is (+2) + 2(-1) = 0, so the final answer is 00 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem Calcium fluoride is an ionic compound formed between calcium and fluorine. To determine its net charge, we need to understand the charges of the individual ions and how they combine to form a neutral compound.
Determining Ion Charges Calcium (Ca) is in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it typically forms a 2+ ion (Ca 2 + ) by losing two electrons. Fluorine (F) is in Group 17, so it typically forms a 1- ion (F − ) by gaining one electron.
Determining the Chemical Formula To form a neutral compound, the positive and negative charges must balance. Since calcium has a 2+ charge and fluorine has a 1- charge, we need two fluoride ions to balance the charge of one calcium ion. Therefore, the chemical formula for calcium fluoride is CaF 2 .
Calculating Total Charges In CaF 2 , there is one calcium ion with a 2+ charge and two fluoride ions, each with a 1- charge. The total positive charge is +2, and the total negative charge is 2 × (-1) = -2.
Calculating Net Charge The net charge of the compound is the sum of the positive and negative charges: (+2) + (-2) = 0. Therefore, calcium fluoride has a net charge of zero.
Final Answer The net charge of calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ) is 0, which means it is a neutral compound.
Examples
Understanding the net charge of ionic compounds like calcium fluoride is crucial in various real-world applications. For instance, in bone and teeth formation, calcium and fluoride ions combine to form hydroxyapatite, a compound similar to calcium fluoride, which strengthens these structures. In the chemical industry, knowing the charge balance is essential for synthesizing new materials and predicting their stability. Moreover, in environmental science, understanding ionic charges helps in predicting the behavior of pollutants and designing effective remediation strategies.
The net charge of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) is 0, as the positive charge from one calcium ion (Ca²⁺) balances with the negative charges from two fluoride ions (F⁻). Therefore, the chosen option is D. 0.
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