What is the ionic formula for calcium chloride?

1 Answer
Feb 2, 2014

The ionic formula for Calcium Chloride is #CaCl_2#

Calcium is an Alkaline Earth Metal in the second column of the periodic table. This means that calcium has 2 valence electrons it readily gives away in order to seek the stability of the octet. This makes calcium a #Ca^(+2)# cation.

Chlorine is a Halogen in the 17th column or #p^5# group.
Chlorine has 7 valence electrons. It needs one electron to make it stable at 8 electrons in its valence shells. This makes chlorine a #Cl^(-1)# anion.

Ionic bonds form when the charges between the metal cation and non-metal anion are equal and opposite. This means that two #Cl^(-1)# anions will balance with one #Ca^(+2)# cation.

This makes the formula for calcium chloride, #CaCl_2#.

I hope this is helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER