What is the ratio of atoms of CL over atoms of Zn?
and what is the empirical formula of zinc chloride?
In ZnCl2, there are two ions of chloride to each zinc ion.
To determine the ratio of atoms of CL over atoms of Zn in the empirical formula of zinc chloride, we need to consider the charges of the ions involved.
Zinc is a transition metal that typically forms a 2+ cation (Zn2+). Chlorine is a non-metal that typically forms a 1- anion (Cl-).
In the empirical formula of zinc chloride (ZnClx), the positive and negative charges must balance out. Therefore, the number of chloride ions (Cl-) must be equal to the charge of the zinc ion (Zn2+).
Since zinc has a 2+ charge, it means that two chloride ions (Cl-) are needed to balance the charge. Thus, the ratio of atoms of Cl to Zn in zinc chloride is 2:1.
As for the empirical formula of zinc chloride, it is ZnCl2.