Question

the compound caf2 is an ionic compound. what are the ions of which it is composed? cation formula anion formula

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze ionic - compound composition

In an ionic compound, the cation is the positively - charged ion and the anion is the negatively - charged ion. For $CaF_2$, calcium ($Ca$) is a metal and fluorine ($F$) is a non - metal. Calcium loses electrons to form a cation and fluorine gains electrons to form an anion.

Step2: Determine the cation

Calcium ($Ca$) is in Group 2 of the periodic table. It has 2 valence electrons and loses 2 electrons to form a $Ca^{2 + }$ cation.

Step3: Determine the anion

Fluorine ($F$) is in Group 17 of the periodic table. It has 7 valence electrons and gains 1 electron to form a $F^-$ anion. In $CaF_2$, there are 2 fluoride ions to balance the + 2 charge of the calcium ion.

Answer:

Cation formula: $Ca^{2+}$
Anion formula: $F^-$