Beryllium flouride's formula is BeF2. Why do beryllium and flourine combine in a 1:2 ratio?
Be has two electrons to give away. F need to gain one electron so it takes two F atoms to take those two electrons.
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Beryllium fluoride's formula (BeF2) indicates that beryllium (Be) and fluorine (F) combine in a 1:2 ratio. This ratio is determined by the charges of the ions formed by beryllium and fluorine in a chemical reaction.
Beryllium is a Group 2 element and typically forms a 2+ cation (Be2+) when it loses two electrons. On the other hand, fluorine is a Group 17 element and tends to gain one electron to form a 1- anion (F-).
To achieve stability, the beryllium cation Be2+ requires two negatively charged fluoride anions F- to balance out its positive charge. By combining two fluoride ions with one beryllium ion, the overall charge is neutral, and the compound becomes electrically balanced.
Since there are two fluoride ions for every beryllium ion in beryllium fluoride, we express this ratio in the chemical formula as BeF2, indicating the 1:2 ratio of beryllium to fluorine.
In summary, the 1:2 ratio between beryllium and fluorine in beryllium fluoride is determined by the charges of the respective ions, ensuring electrical neutrality in the compound.