Chapter 18, Problem 10RQ

What is the electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride, ${\text{CaCl}}_2$?

To determine

The electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride, ${\text{CaCl}}_2$

Answer to Problem 10RQ

The electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride, ${\text{CaCl}}_2$ is $+2$.

Explanation of Solution

Calcium chloride ${\text{CaCl}}_2$ is ionic compound containing the electrostatic force of attraction between a calcium ion and chloride ions.

An ionic compound is formed by making an ionic bond which is basically a bond existing between ions. The atoms involved in ionic bonds must contain large difference in their electro negativities. The atoms containing low electro negativity tend to furnish electrons and generate positive ion and atoms containing large electro negativity tend to gain electrons and generate negative ion. The positive and negative ions tend to attract together through electrostatic force of attraction and that generates an ionic bond between them.

The calcium atom being a metal loses two electrons to form ${\text{Ca}}^{2+}$ ion. This ${\text{Ca}}^{2+}$ ion can attract two electronegative chloride ions ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ to form an ionic compound that is calcium chloride,${\text{CaCl}}_2$.

Conclusion:

Thus the electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride, ${\text{CaCl}}_2$ is $+2$ .