The formula for calcium chlorite is (a) \(\mathrm{CaClO}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{ClO}_{2}\right)_{2} ;(\mathrm{c}) \mathrm{CaClO}_{3} ;(\mathrm{d}) \mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{ClO}_{4}\right)_{2}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The correct formula for calcium chlorite is (b) Ca(ClO2)2.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the charge of calcium ion

Calcium (Ca) is a Group 2 element in the periodic table, and it forms ions with a +2 charge when it loses its outer two electrons.
02

Identify the charge of Chlorite ion

The Chlorite (ClO2) is a polyatomic ion with a charge of -1.
03

Balance charges to form a neutral compound

In order to form a neutral compound, the total charges from the cation (positive ion) and the anion (negative ion) have to add up to 0. In this case, since Calcium has a charge of +2 and Chlorite has a charge of -1, two chlorite ions are needed to balance out the charge of one calcium ion. Thus, the chemical formula for calcium chlorite is Ca(ClO2)2.

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