What is the electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride, CaCl2?
The net charge is +2e, it lost two electrons.
To determine the electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride (CaCl2), we need to consider the charges of the individual ions and the overall charge neutrality of the compound.
The chloride ion (Cl-) has a charge of -1 because it gains one electron to achieve stability. Calcium (Ca) is a group 2 element and tends to lose two electrons to obtain a stable electron configuration. Therefore, the calcium ion (Ca2+) has a charge of +2.
Since calcium chloride (CaCl2) consists of one calcium ion and two chloride ions, we need to balance the charges so that the overall charge is neutral. To do this, we need two chloride ions with a total charge of -2 to balance the calcium ion with a charge of +2.
Hence, the electric charge on the calcium ion in calcium chloride is +2.