Question

What is the ionic formula for calcium chloride?

Answer 1

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