If x stands for a metal how can you tell from the following formulas xcl and xcl2 which compound contains an alkali metal and which contains an alkaline earth metal?

Answer 1

You have to balance the valence between the metal and Cl. Cl wants one electron, so it has a charge of -1. It takes one alkali metal to balance that charge, since alkali metals only give up one electron. This means XCl is made of an alkali metal. Alkaline earth metals give up two electrons, and so it can give one of those two electrons to two Cl. Therefore, XCl2 contains an alkaline earth metal

Answer 2

In the formulas xCl and xCl2, the subscript "2" in xCl2 indicates that the compound contains a divalent metal, which is characteristic of alkaline earth metals. Alkali metals typically form compounds with a 1+ charge, so xCl would likely contain an alkali metal. Alkali metals are found in Group 1 of the Periodic Table, while alkaline earth metals are found in Group 2.

Answer 3

Oh, dude, it's simple. So, in the first compound, xCl, that's like an alkali metal because alkali metals typically form compounds with a +1 charge, like NaCl (table salt, you know). And in the second one, xCl2, that's an alkaline earth metal because those guys usually form compounds with a +2 charge, like CaCl2 (calcium chloride). It's all about those charges, man.

Answer 4

Well, isn't that a happy little question! When you see "xCl" and "xCl2" formulas, you can tell which compound contains an alkali metal and which contains an alkaline earth metal by looking at the number of chlorine atoms. If there is only one chlorine atom (xCl), it's likely to be an alkali metal. If there are two chlorine atoms (xCl2), it's more likely to be an alkaline earth metal. Just like painting, it's all about paying attention to the little details!

Answer 5

The compound xCl contains an alkali metal because alkali metals typically form +1 cations. The compound xCl2 contains an alkaline earth metal because alkaline earth metals typically form +2 cations.