Question #2c09c

1 Answer
Sep 25, 2015

The number of valence electrons will determine the number of ions that one ion needs to combine with to form a neutral ionic compound.

Explanation:

The number of valence electrons will determine the number of ions that one ion needs to combine with to form a neutral ionic compound.

For example, Aluminum Al has three valence electrons to lose to form Al^(3+).

Chlorine Cl has 7 valence electrons, and it can gain one more electron to obey the octet rule and it will form Cl^-.

To form a neutral ionic compound, one ion Al^(3+) will combine with three ions Cl^- to form aluminum chloride AlCl_3