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In ionic compounds the sum of the charges of all the cations and anions must be?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Think to yourself, do most things carry an electric charge? Since most things don't stick together or push apart, it should be obvious that most things are neutral. Therefore, the total positive and total negative in a compound must be equal so they completely cancel each other.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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In ionic compounds what are the sum of the charges of all the cations and anions?
The positive and negative charges are equal in magnitude (absolute value).
Why the formula of magnesium chloride is MgCl2?
Magnesium chloride is an neutral ionic compound. In neutral ionic compounds, the positive charge of the cations must balance out the negative charge of the anions. In the case of magnesium chloride, magnesium is the cation with an ionic charge of +2 and chlorine is the anion with an ionic charge (each) of -1. Since two chlorine anions together have a charge of -2 total, they balance out the one magnesium cation with a charge of +2.
What is the formulas ionic compound fro calcium nitride?
The formula is Ca3N2: Calcium forms divalent cations and nitrogen forms trivalent anions.
Is sulfur ionic?
Sulfer is an element, only compounds can be ionic. For example, NaCl is an ionic compound- something that has a metal and a non-metal.
What is the binary ionic compound of magnesium and chlorine?
Magnesium forms divalent cations and chlorine forms monovalent anions; therefore, the binary compound of magnesium and chloride has the formula MgCl2.
What type of compound does cations and anions compose?
Cations and anions compse ionic chemical compounds.
Do ionic compounds consist of cations and anions present in a constant ratio?
yes
Cations and anions similar?
No, cations have a positive charge and have lost electrons. Anions have a negative charge and have gained electrons. In an ionic compound anions and cations attract each other due to opposite charges.
Do IONIC COMPOUNDS need to be positively charged?
No they are not positively charged. Ionic bonds comprise of anions and cations.
It is true for all compounds Composition of ionic compounds Which is NOT true of compounds Which is?
True: Ionic compounds are composed of anions and cations False: They are composed of nonmetallic elements.
Anions and cations attract one another by what means?
They have opposite charges. Like charges repel, opposite charges attract.
Why are ionic compounds able to conduct electricity?
Because ionic compounds are dissociated in water solutions in electrically charged ions - cations and anions.
What are ionic bond compounds?
Compounds that are formed from cations and anions, or ions with negative and positive charge. Ionic compounds are also compounds that are formed from a metal and a non-metal.
Do ionic always have charge?
Yes , ionic compounds always have positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. But in an ionic compound the positive and negative charges balance exactly leaving an overall charge of zero
Is an ionic compound composed of anions and cations but is electrically neutral?
Yes. Ionic compounds contain anions and cations in proportions that balance the charges making samples of the compound electrically neutral. Examples are NaCl, ions Na+ Cl- , proportions 1:1 CaCl2,ions Ca2+ Cl- , proportions 1:2
The characteristic colors of the reactants and the products are caused by the cations or the anions in the compound?
in a ionic compounds the characteristic colors of the reactants and the products are caused by the positive or negative ions in the compounds?
Why do some formulas of ionic compounds have more than two elements?
Ionic compounds are comprised of cations and anions. Cations are species with positive charges, and anions have negative charges. There are lots of simple ions (Ca2+ and Cl- are good examples). But it is possible for there to be "Polyatomic Ions", i.e. molecules that are arranged in such a way that they have more or less electrons than there are protons in the molecule, and therefore have an overall charge. So in a compound like NH4Cl, the cation is NH4 + and the anion is Cl-
