CaCl2 (Calcium chloride) is an ionic compound because when the metal combines with nonmetal, it usually forms an ionic compound. Here, Ca is a metal and Cl is a nonmetal. So when they combine, it forms an ionic compound.
Well, now you have got to know that CaCl2 is an ionic compound, but let me explain the in-depth reason why CaCl2 is an ionic compound.
If you are a visual learner like me, then here is a short one minute video for you.
Why is CaCl2 an ionic compound?
As mentioned above, you can simply remember that when the metal combines with nonmetal, the bond between them is an ionic bond.
Here in CaCl2, the Ca atom is a metal and the Cl atom is a nonmetal.
Hence the bond between them is an ionic bond.
How does the ionic bond form between Ca and Cl?
In CaCl2, there are two atoms;
Ca and Cl.
About Calcium (Ca):
Calcium atom have 20 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Calcium (Ca) is 2, 8, 8, 2.
So the outermost orbit of Calcium atom has 2 electrons.
Now Calcium is a metal and the metals are highly electropositive (that means they have the tendency to lose electrons and become positive ions.)
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Calcium atom will lose 2 electrons to form a stable octet.
About Chlorine (Cl):
Chlorine atom have 17 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Chlorine (Cl) is 2, 8, 7.
So the outermost orbit of Chlorine atom has 7 electrons.
Now Chlorine is a nonmetal and the nonmetals are highly electronegative (that means they have the tendency to gain electrons and become negative ions.)
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Chlorine atom will gain 1 electron to form a stable octet.
What happens when Ca and Cl combine?
When Ca and Cl combine with each other, the electron transfer takes place from Calcium atom to Chlorine atom (i.e from Ca to Cl).
In other words, the Calcium atom (Ca) loses 2 electrons and the Chlorine atoms (Cl) gains 1-1 electrons.
Due to this, the Calcium becomes a positive ion (Ca2+) and Chlorine becomes a negative ion (Cl–).
Now because of the positive charge of Calcium ion and negative charge of Chlorine ion, the electrostatic force of attraction is produced between them.
This electrostatic force between Calcium ion and Chlorine ions results in an ionic bond between them.
Hence, CaCl2 is an ionic compound.
I hope you have understood the reason why CaCl2 is an ionic compound.
Check out other compounds to see whether they are ionic or covalent;
Is NH3 (Ammonia) Ionic or Covalent?
Is CH4 (Methane) Ionic or Covalent?
Is MgCl2 (Magnesium chloride) Ionic or Covalent?
Is SO2 (Sulfur dioxide) Ionic or Covalent?
Is MgO (Magnesium oxide) Ionic or Covalent?
Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.
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