How many fluorine atoms bond with calcium to form calcium fluoride?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 20, 2016

The formula of calcium fluoride is #CaF_2#.

Explanation:

Calcium, a Group 2 metal, commonly forms a #Ca^(2+)# ion. On the other hand, fluorine, a Group 7 non-metal, commonly forms an #F^-# ion. The necessity of electrical neutrality ensures that #2xxF^-# binds to one #Ca^(2+)#.

Note that the structure of the mineral, fluorite, affords very high physical constants as it is a very stable structure. #Li_2O# is called #"antfluorite"#. Why?

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