Question

Explain why calcium combines in a different ratio to a fluoride ion versus an oxide ion.

Answer 1

Answer:

This is due the different charges of fluoride and oxide ions.

Explanation:

When calcium reacts it is oxidized to Ca²⁺. In the same way, fluoride ion is reduced to F⁻ and oxide ion to O²⁻.

When these ions are combined, the molecule must be neutral. That means 2 ions of F⁻ are necessaries and just 1 O²⁻ ion will reacts producing:

CaF₂ and CaO.

The different charges of these ions is the reason why calcium will combine in different ratios.