Question

What is the net charge of the ionic compound calcium fluoride

Answer 1

Answer:

• The net charge of the ionic compound calcium fluoride is zero (0).

Explanation:

Ionic compounds, such as covalent ones, have zero net charge; this is, they are neutral.

Substances with net positive charge are cations and substances with net negative charge are anions.

The charges in the ionic compound calcium flouride are distributed in this way:

• Compound formula: CaF₂

• Calcium charge: Ca²⁺: this is, each calcium ion has a 2 positive charge

• Fluoride charge: F⁻: each fluoride ion has a 1 negative charge.

• Then, the net charge is: 1 × (2+) + 2 × (1-) = +2 - 2 = 0.

So, a two positve charge, from one calcium ion, is equal to two negative charges, from two fluoride tions, yielding a zero net charge.