What is the Lewis structure for "Ca"^(2+)?

1 Answer
Jan 23, 2016

The atomic number of calcium is 20, and the atomic number of argon (a noble gas) is 18, so calcium is on the second column of the periodic table.

Since we are talking about the 2+ cation, it already lost two electrons. We can tell because each electron brings a 1- charge, and so losing a 1- charge is like gaining a 1+ charge.

Also, since neutral "Ca" is on the second column/group, it originally had 2 electrons. 2-2 = 0, so \mathbf("Ca"^(2+)) has no valence electrons .

Therefore, drawing the Lewis structure is actually not too hard; just write "Ca", and mention somehow that it has a 2+ charge.

One way you could do it is to enclose "Ca" in square brackets and put the 2+ up top like so:

["Ca"]^(2+)