Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for calcium fluoride?
A
Ca_2F_2
B
CaF
C
Ca_2F
D
CaF_2
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 charge of +2 and fluoride has a charge of -1, two fluoride ions are needed to balance one calcium ion.
Write the chemical formula by placing the calcium ion first followed by the fluoride ion with a subscript of 2 to indicate two fluoride ions: CaF_{2}.
Verify that the total positive charge (+2 from Ca^{2+}) balances the total negative charge (2 × -1 from 2 F^{-}), confirming the formula CaF_{2} is correct.