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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for calcium fluoride?
A
Ca2F
B
CaF
C
CaF2
D
Ca2F2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the ions involved: calcium forms a Ca^{2+} ion and fluoride forms an F^{-} ion.
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the charges so the compound is electrically neutral.
Since calcium has a +2 charge and fluoride has a -1 charge, two fluoride ions are needed to balance one calcium ion.
Write the chemical formula by placing the calcium ion symbol first, followed by the fluoride ion symbol with a subscript indicating the number of fluoride ions: CaF_{2}.
Verify that the total positive charge (+2 from Ca^{2+}) balances the total negative charge (2 × -1 from 2 F^{-} ions), confirming the formula CaF_{2} is correct.