Name: Chemical Reactions: Their Significance and Representation
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 43 s
Description: A chemical reaction or an equation has a lot of parts in it to convey lots of information. Let us learn what it has to unravel for us through this video.

Question

Using the example of calcium chloride explain how the formulae of compounds are derived (given that the valency of calcium is 2 and that of chlorine is 1).

Accepted Answer

The steps involved in writing the formula for a compound are as follows:

Firstly we will note down the symbols of the elements or their radicals. Then note down the valencies as superscript on the symbols of the elements.

If there is a common factor in the valencies, then divide it to a simple one.

Exchange the valencies and write them as subscripts.

Now, we will use the above steps for writing the formula for calcium chloride.

The elements in calcium chloride are calcium and chlorine.

The valency of calcium is 2 and chlorine is 1. Therefore, we write the symbols as ${Ca}^{2}$ and ${Cl}^{1}$ .

The valencies are exchanged and written as subscripts to the elements. Therefore, the formula of calcium chloride would be ${CaCl}_{2}$ .

Using the example of calcium chloride explain how the formulae of compounds are derived (given that the valency of calcium is 2 and that of chlorine is 1).

Important Questions on Structure of Matter

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