Question

What is the electronic structure with respect to carbon in calcium carbide, `Ca^(2+)C_2^(-)`?

Answer 1

The answer is 1: 6 electrons

Explanation:

Simple:
The number of protons ALWAYS equals the number of electrons in a question like this.

This carbon atom is neutral, meaning it's charge is 0. Since neutrons don't have a charge, you're left with protons, which have a positive charge, and electrons which have a negative charge.

In this case, the protons have a charge of +6. But the atom needs to be neutral.

Therefore, you need 6 electrons. -6 and +6 cancel each other out and make the atom have a charge of 0.

Answer 2

The carbide anion is actually `:C-=C:^(2-)`, and typically occurs as `CaC-=C`, its calcium salt.

Explanation:

The question is poorly formed; there are 7 electrons around each carbon nucleus. I'd be interested in the proferred answer.